Free Thanksgiving Dinner

There's no need to go hungry this Thanksgiving. There are a number of organizations in the area that will be serving free Thanksgiving dinner for those in need.

hat tip  Steven Duncan

LONG BRANCH RESIDENT UPS REWARD $5,000 FOR CAPTURE OF POLICE ASSAILANT

From NJ State PBA:
11/14/16

Vin Gopal

In order to bring attention and awareness to the September 21, 2016 attack on Long Branch police officer Michael Monahan, Long Branch resident Vin Gopal is committed to giving $5,000 on top of the PBA's $25,000 reward through the NJ COP SHOT program and Monmouth County Crime Stoppers bringing the total reward to $30,000.


Anyone with information about the incident is asked to reach out to Detective Joe Spitale of the Long Branch Police Department at 732-222-1000. The rewards will be given for information which leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of any suspect(s) in the assault of a police officer.

"We appreciate a Long Branch resident stepping up in order to bring attention back to this issue. It has been nearly two months since the incident and it is important we capture the individual who assaulted Officer Monahan," stated New Jersey State PBA President Pat Colligan.

The NJ State PBA is asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers of Monmouth County at 1-800-671-400 or to text “TIPPCOP” plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES). NJ Cop Shot is a program run by the New Jersey State PBA.

There are two (2) ways to report a crime while remaining completely anonymous (confidential).
1. Call the tip line 1-800-671-4400

2. Text “TIPCOP” plus your tip to: 274637 (CRIMES)

Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival Ends Summer on a Good Note

The jazz and blues festival on August 27 will feature live music, food, and fun for all ages

Long Branch, NJ  – The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation’s (JSJBF) Summer Series of Festivals ends the summer on a good note with live jazz and blues music in Long Branch, NJ. The festival will be held Saturday, August 27 from 12 – 9:45 p.m. at The Great Lawn on the Boardwalk, located on Cooper Ave.

Thousands are anticipated to turn out for a day of live performances by talented jazz and blues musicians, food, crafters and sponsor exhibits, and activities for the entire family. The festival is rain or shine, free to the public, dog friendly and all ages are welcome to attend.

The festival will showcase the best jazz and blues artists around, including Jan Findlay, Dana Gaynor Band, Audrey Silver Quartet, Geoff Achison & The Soul Diggers, Joe Benjamin &A Mighty Handful. Trudy Lynn Blues Review featuring Steve Krase will headline the festival with their mix of blues and soul.

Sometimes called Houston's "First Lady of the Blues" or "First Lady of Soul," the dynamic Trudy Lynn was still in her teens when she sang onstage with "Iceman" Albert Collins's band and opened for Ike and Tina Turner. Even so, her recent success has arguably put the sixty something singer in the prime of her career.

Each year, sponsor donations from the Summer Series of Festivals raise essential funds for the nonprofit Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation’s operational expenses. Sponsors this year include Comcast, News 12 New Jersey, and New Jersey 101.5.

“Our award-winning summer festival has been entertaining jazz and blues fans on the Jersey Shore for more than 25 years," said festival organizer Dennis Eschbach. "We attract thousands of visitors of all ages, and in recent years the festival series has introduced new generations to the genre. Thanks to the support of our musicians, volunteers, sponsors and host towns, we're able to keep jazz and blues music alive on the Jersey Shore."

About the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
Founded in 1987, the nonprofit Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation remains dedicated to its efforts to preserve, promote and perpetuate jazz and blues on the

Chelsea Clinton Coming to Monmouth Tomorrow to Campaign for Hillary Clinton in Long Branch & Hazlet

On Tuesday, May 17, Chelsea Clinton will return to New Jersey ahead of the Democratic presidential primary on June 7th to campaign for her mom at events in Long Branch and Hazlet.

At these events, she will ask New Jerseyans for their support and urge them to go out and vote for Hillary Clinton. She will also discuss why her mom is the best candidate to raise incomes for New Jersey families, to improve education, and to break down the barriers that hold too many Americans back.

Details on the trip are as follows:

Long Branch Organizing Event
WHERE: Charlie's Ocean Grille, 29 Avenel Blvd, Long Branch
WHEN: 12:00 PM, Tuesday, May 17
PUBLIC RSVP

Hillary for New Jersey, Monmouth County Office Opening
WHERE: Monmouth County Democratic Headquarters, Airport Plaza Shopping Center, 1342 State Route 36, Hazlet (NOTE: Storefront next to Forum Tuxedos)
WHEN: 2:00 PM, Tuesday, May 17
PUBLIC RSVP

Intro to Timebanking - Feb. 17

MonmouthCares is hosting a free community-building event: Introduction to TimeBanking, on Wednesday, February, 17 2016, from 4:30 - 6 PM at the Long Branch Free Public Library - 328 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740. Individuals, Families, and Organizations are welcome; Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Ashley Lobbato alobbato@monmouthcares.org or 732-222-8008 ext. 118.

What is Timebanking??

(from Timebank Media, PA)

While timebanking was created over thirty years ago, it is a new concept to many of us. The basic premise of timebanking is that it is an organized way to "pay it forward". For every hour you invest doing work for someone via the TimeBank, you receive an hour that you can spend on any service offered via the TimeBank (not just with the person to whom you provided the service). On the surface this premise seems simple, but when looked at more deeply, time banking offers new ways of thinking about time, wealth and community.

You can learn more about Timebanking by following the links HERE, HERE and HERE

Pallone Announces $1.37 Million to Hire Police Officers in Asbury Park & Long Branch

WASHINGTON, DC —Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that both the Asbury Park Police Department and the Long Branch Police Department will be awarded a total of $1.37 million in grants to create or preserve law enforcement jobs at their departments. The Asbury Park Police Department will receive $750,000 to hire six police officers and the Long Branch Police Department will receive $625,000 to hire five police officers. The funds were awarded through the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program.

“Safety is essential to the future growth and success of our communities, and I believe that having these additional officers in Asbury Park and Long Branch will make a significant difference,” said Congressman Pallone. “This is a wise investment that will help the Asbury Park and Long Branch Police Departments add or retain the manpower needed to fight crime more effectively and keep our streets safe.”

Congressman Pallone has consistently supported robust funding for the COPS Hiring Program (CHP), which provides grants to address the full-time sworn officer needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide. CHP grants go directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.

CHP grants for 2014 fund 75 percent of the approved entry-level salaries and benefits for three years for newly-hired, full-time sworn officer positions or for rehired officers who have been laid off, or are scheduled to be laid off, as a result of local budget cuts.

Pallone Announces $1.5 Million for Repairs to Long Branch Parks

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that Long Branch, NJ will be receiving more than $1.5 million in federal funding to repair two of the city’s recreational parks, Manahassett Park and Jackson Woods Park, both of which were damaged as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The funding is being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) via the Sandy aid package Pallone fought for in Congress.

“These grants help to lessen the financial hit that our local governments still face as communities across the state continue to recover from Sandy,” said Congressman Pallone. “And as we continue to rebuild, we have a unique opportunity to improve our public infrastructure so it is stronger and can withstand future storms. I am grateful that FEMA recognizes the importance of these ongoing efforts in New Jersey.”

This allocation provides $1,592,903.71 in federal funding to Long Branch for contractors to make repairs to two of the city’s parks that were damaged as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The funding announced today will cover the costs for repairs to the Manahassett Park, including replacing fences, removing and replacing 36,347 square yards of synthetic Field Turf at the soccer and baseball fields, replacing 1,500 square feet of artificial turf at the putting green, and replacing 245 square yards of wood mulch at the playground.

Additionally, the funding will also cover repairs to Jackson Park, including placing 58 cubic yards of crushed stone in the parking lot and replacing fences and gates.

Pallone Statement on Elberon to Loch Arbour Beach Replenishment Project

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement regarding the Elberon to Loch Arbour Beach Replenishment Project. Pallone’s statement comes in response to a rally held in Asbury Park on Friday, March 21 where residents gathered to voice concerns over plans to replenish a 3.5 mile section of beach stretching from Lake Takanassee in the Elberon section of Long Branch to Deal Lake in Loch Arbour.

“I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to express your concerns regarding the Elberon to Loch Arbour Beach Replenishment project. First, I encourage all of you here today to formally submit your concerns and comments on this project in writing if you have not done so. The best method to do this is to email your concerns to Jenifer Thalhauser at Jenifer.E.Thalhauser@usace.army.mil. The deadline to submit comments is Wednesday, March 26, 2014.

Many of you in attendance have reached out to me to express your concerns with the proposed project. I understand your concerns with respect to notching the groins in this area and the impacts this may have on recreational fishing. I am discussing this issue with the Army Corps of Engineers and trying to find a resolution that does not negatively impact fishermen in the area.

I have also heard concerns regarding sand building up in the Deal Lake Flume, causing a blockage of the flow between the lake and ocean. I have raised this issue with the Army Corps and they are planning monitor the flume and clear any sediment buildup that occurs throughout the project. We will also look at the possibility of reconfiguring the placement of sand in the area adjacent to the flume. One long-term solution may be to extend the Deal Lake Flume to limit the amount of sand that can block its flow.

The buildup of sediment in Deal Lake from Superstorm Sandy is another issue that must be addressed. I am pleased that $1 million in federal funds has been allocated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service to remove sediment from the lake. I understand this will not address all of the sediment buildup in the lake and will look into the possibility of additional state funds for this work.

I look forward to working with all of you as this important project progresses. Please feel free to reach out to my office with your concerns throughout this process. Thank you.”

Pallone Announces $16.5 Million in Sandy Recovery Funds for Long Branch and Middlesex County Utilities Authority Projects

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that Long Branch and the Middlesex County Utilities Authority will be receiving more than $16.5 million in federal funding for continued projects as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The funding is being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) via the Sandy aid package Pallone fought for in Congress.

“These grants help to lessen the financial hit that our local governments still face as communities continue to recover from Sandy,” said Congressman Pallone. “As we continue to rebuild, we have a unique opportunity to improve our public infrastructure so it is stronger and can withstand future storms. I am grateful that FEMA recognizes the importance of these ongoing efforts in New Jersey.”

This allocation provides $14,504,338.98 in federal funding to Long Branch to repair the boardwalk, bluffs, bulkheads, and roadway damaged as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The funding announced today will cover the costs for the demolition and replacement of 69,850 square feet of boardwalk, including new decking, railing and lighting. Ramps leading from the boardwalk to the beach will also be replaced. The bluffs, which are the support system for the boardwalk and roadway, will be repaired with a new concrete foundation, 95,740 cubic yards of additional material, and 11,489 square yards of dune grass.

The Middlesex County Utilities Authority will receive $1,340,015.46 in federal funding for emergency repairs to the Sayreville Sewerage Pump Station that was damaged as a result of Superstorm Sandy. This grant is in addition to the $2.44 million that the Middlesex County Utilities Authority was awarded in 2013 to repair the damaged pump station and install and operate a surge diversion facility to minimize surges to the pump station in the event of a future storm. The station pumps sewage from 30 municipalities in Middlesex and Somerset Counties.

Monmouth County Community Leaders, Business Owners & Local Residents Call For Action on Climate Change

For Immediate Release: 
Saturday, August 18th, 2013

“I Will Act On Climate” Bus Visits Asbury Park & Long Branch as Part of 27-State Tour

(ASBURY PARK & LONG BRANCH, NJ) – Today, local leaders and activists gathered at two events in Monmouth County to highlight the devastating impacts of extreme weather and climate change. The first stop was at Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park, and the second stop was at the Windmill chain in Long Branch. At both events, crowds greeted the “I Will Act On Climate” bus as it wraps up it’s 27-state tour.

Today’s press conferences come on the heels of President Barack Obama’s historic national climate change plan announcement on June 25th. Participants called for action to mitigate the worst impacts of climate-fueled extreme weather and to plan for the future.

“President Obama’s Climate Action Plan is the first step in addressing climate change, and I am proud to stand alongside him in this fight for our future,” said Asbury Park Mayor Myra Campbell. “Obama’s plan helps communities like Asbury Park build our resilience to extreme weather. It also addresses the largest pollutant contributing to climate change: carbon dioxide from power plants. This type of action is what we need to ensure a sustainable future for our environment, for our families, and for our economy.”

“No one here will ever forget Sandy. But, we also need to plan ahead”, said restaurant owner Marilyn Schlossbach. “When we re-opened Langosta Lounge this season, we re-designed the bar and restaurant to make them better and more sustainable. Just as this restaurant planned for the future and took action, so too must we when it comes to climate change. I proudly stand in support of President Obama’s plan to address the root cause of climate change and temperature increases.”

“I’m used to seeing happy faces here at the Windmill, but there weren’t a whole lot of smiles in the aftermath of Sandy,” said Rena Levine Levy, CEO Windmill Franchise Corporation. “Almost a year later, many homes are still in ruins and many businesses are still closed or hurting. Science clearly shows that extreme weather is linked to climate change. So we simply have to do something about it. There is no downside to standing up and taking action. At the Windmill, we see this as an issue to save our beaches and our lives as we know them to be today, as well as the environment for future generations."

“As the average temperature increases because of climate change, events like Superstorm Sandy will sadly become more common, said Red Bank Councilman Ed Zipprich. “We must embrace ways to help local communities deal with these problems and prevent future damage caused by extreme weather. The Obama solution is a common-sense plan to reduce carbon pollution, and I am proud to stand with the President to directly address climate change.”

“Science is clear that climate change is causing extreme events to increase in both intensity and frequency – from hurricanes to heat waves and from droughts to derechos and from to nor’easters and blizzards,” said Vin Gopal, small business owner and Monmouth County Democrats Chairman. “If we don’t make changes now, ‘once in a lifetime’ storms like Sandy will become more common. We must take action on climate change to safeguard our environment, economy and shared future.”

“Superstorm Sandy made sure we all know the tragic cost of climate change,” said youth engagement activist John McCarthy. “If we have any hope of a bright future, we need to take action right now. We must embrace common-sense solutions to combat climate change – and the extreme weather, escalating temperatures and rising sea levels it brings about.”

In October 2012, New Jersey was devastated by Superstorm Sandy – the 2nd costliest hurricane in U.S. history - which left 131 dead and destroyed approximately 380,000 homes. It created a storm surge that broke the all-time record in New York Harbor. With each passing year, as storms get stronger, more violent and cause more damage, the costs of recovery from storms like Sandy continue to climb.

Sandy has affected New Jersey’s economy, as well as the environment and safety of residents. Tourism officials say that while visitors have been booking rooms, but it’s been later than usual. Moreover, the lack of rental stock has cut into prolonged stays. Monmouth County - home to more than 10,000 seasonal second homes - lost 2% of its rental properties to Sandy. Ocean County officials say rentals are off about 20-30%

Just last month, New Jersey suffered from a horrendous heat wave, the latest in a series of extreme weather events in recent years that have included hurricanes, droughts, nor’easters and even a blizzard before Halloween. As a result of these and other events, 14 New Jersey counties have received natural disaster designations in recent years.
In 2011, it was Hurricane Irene that pummeled the area. Months before that, it was a wind-driven thunderstorm “derecho.” Over 2011-2012, Sandy and 24 other extreme weather events caused damage in excess of $1 billion each -- $188 billion total – and left more than 1,100 people dead.

According to a recent report by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 8 of the 10 worst storms in New Jersey history have occurred since 1999. More events are likely to occur in the coming years. Moreover, 2011 was the wettest year on record. According to research from Rutgers University, the rise in sea level will approach 16 inches by 2050 and 44 inches by 2100.

President Obama has presented a broad, common-sense plan for meeting our obligation to protect future generations from climate change. His decision to take action to cut carbon pollution from power plants is particularly important since there are no current limits on carbon pollution from power plants - even though they are its biggest source. Industrial carbon pollution was just measured at the highest levels in human history. Obama’s plan also calls for infrastructure improvements to deal with the effects of climate change, and new investments in clean energy and energy efficiency.

Poll after poll shows that a majority of Americans want climate action now. 65% of voters support “the President taking significant steps to address climate change now,” according to a February poll for the League of Conservation Voters.

Pallone: Federal Cuts Are Putting New Jerseyans Out on the Streets

Visits Long Branch Housing Authority and Holds Town Halls with Seniors

Long Branch, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) held three town hall meetings with residents at senior complexes operated by the Long Branch Housing Authority (LBHA) where he shed light on the crippling effect the across the board federal budget cuts, also known as the sequester, are having on housing programs in New Jersey and nationally. The sequester has caused housing authorities to nearly stop issuing new rent vouchers.

“So many New Jerseyans are struggling as a result of the severe shortage of affordable housing across the country. Now is not the time to cut anti-poverty and anti-homelessness programs like those used at the Long Branch Housing Authority. In these times we should increase access to affordable housing through these programs, not slash them,” said Pallone. “That’s why I am so frustrated by Republicans in Congress and members of the Tea Party who refuse to stop the mindless budget cuts. People need affordable places to live to help put them on track to the middle class, and it is wrong that the GOP slash and burn sequester is putting people out on the street. Congress must reverse these cuts and work together to come up with a budget that grows the middle class instead of one that takes the roof over people’s heads.”

LBHA serves about 1,372 families and individuals, 784 of whom live through assistance from the Housing Choice Voucher program that provides decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Due to budget cuts over the past several years and recent federal cuts from sequestration, LBHA has been forced to downsize bedrooms to avoid kicking people off the program and has had to rely on donations and volunteers to maintain their social services programs.

Nationally, the Housing Choice Voucher program helps 2.2 million low-income households to rent modest housing at an affordable cost, and the average household income of families receiving Housing Choice Vouchers is $12,500. Unfortunately, now many newly issued vouchers have been rescinded, leaving some people homeless or doubled up with family and friends.

Estimates show that federal cuts as a result of sequestration negatively affect more than 440,000 households and an additional 1.1 million people by decreasing affordable housing opportunities and community development services. According to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, about 125,000 individuals and families could lose assistance provided through the voucher program and be at risk of becoming homeless.

The need for affordable housing and community development services far exceeds current funding levels. Since 2009, the percentage of households most in need of assistance has grown by 19%. Currently, only one in four eligible households receives a housing voucher or some other type of federal rental assistance, and there are long waiting lists for assistance in nearly every community.

Don't Let the Gas Industry Raise the Demand for Fracking in New Jersey - Fracked Gas Threatens Our Coasts!

I write with troubling news. A new, massive natural gas facility could be built off the coast of New Jersey, threatening local communities and increasing the demand for fracking. With only a few weeks for public comment, we need to act right now to tell Governor Christie to reject this reckless proposal.

The corporation pushing this project, called Port Ambrose, is saying that it will be a terminal to import natural gas. But with fracking on the rise in the Marcellus shale region, many are concerned that the project is really designed to help the gas industry export fracked gas to other countries. This means that the project not only threatens residents and visitors from Long Branch to Sandy Hook, but it will result in more pressure to open New Jersey to the ravages of fracking.

Port Ambrose would inevitably discharge wastewater and contaminate air and marine waters. The proposed facility poses an unacceptable risk to the people of New Jersey's health and safety and threatens some of the state's most popular beach areas. With a deadline looming on July 14, we must take action today. Join me in telling Governor Christie to reject this reckless project.

Submit a public comment today

Thanks for taking action,

Jim Walsh
Mid-Atlantic Region Director
Food & Water Watch
jwalsh@fwwatch.org

Pallone Makes It Official, "I'm In"

TRENTON, NJ— At an afternoon press conference in Trenton, NJ, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced his candidacy to fill the remaining term of the late Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. Immediately prior to hand-delivering nominating petitions signed by supporters to New Jersey’s Division of Elections, Pallone told a crowd of gathered reporters of his intention to run for the open Senate seat.


“Today, I am proud to stand here and declare my candidacy to be the next U.S. Senator from the great state of New Jersey,” said Pallone. “Although I wish this opportunity to run for the seat vacated as a result of the loss of my good friend and colleague, Senator Frank Lautenberg, had never risen, I am committed to carrying on his legacy of fighting for New Jersey.”

Pallone, a 13 term Congressman from Long Branch spoke of his long record of advocating for all New Jerseyans and laid out some of his top priorities.

“I’m in,” said Pallone. “I’m in this race because families in our state and throughout the nation are hurting, and I believe that we have a responsibility to roll up our sleeves, get to work and help. Throughout my career, I have been committed to public service and to the idea that, no matter the size of the challenge, I would continue to stand and fight and work toward sensible solutions.”

A progressive Democrat with a long record of achieving results for New Jersey, Pallone cited his core Democratic principles and belief that government can be a tool for good as influencing his decision to run for the Senate.

“I’m running for the Senate because we need to focus on getting people back to work, rebuilding our economy, making sure our environment is clean and safe for future generations, and standing up for equality for all Americans,” said Pallone. “We can’t wait for solutions. We need results from proven leaders now, which is why I am entering this race and why I am asking for the support of New Jerseyans to be our state’s next Senator. I have never backed down from a fight, regardless of how long the odds are, and I will continue to stand firm in my fight for New Jersey.”

Congressman Pallone Announces $6.4 Million in FEMA funding for Middletown, Long Branch and Asbury Park

Friday, November 30, 2012

WASHINGTON DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that three towns in the Sixth Congressional District, Middletown Township, Long Branch and Asbury Park, were awarded grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse the towns for debris removal following Hurricane Sandy. This is the second round of funding announced by FEMA to reimburse municipalities for Hurricane Sandy related expenses.

The grants allocate $4 million to Middletown, $1.4 million to Long Branch and over $1 million to Asbury Park for debris removal costs after Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey. FEMA awards these Public Assistance grants on a rolling basis after receiving applications from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments.

 “The resources of our municipalities are stretched thin after Hurricane Sandy,” said Pallone. “This FEMA funding will pay for a significant portion of the extra expenses incurred by the town as they responded to the storm and made sure their residents and roadways were safe.”

 Congressman Pallone joined Congressional colleagues representing areas affected by Hurricane Sandy this week to request an emergency supplemental appropriations bill that will help New Jersey recovery and rebuild from the devastating effects of the storm.

“I look forward to working with FEMA to make sure our New Jersey towns in the Sixth Congressional District have the resources they need to move forward and rebuild after Hurricane Sandy,” Pallone added.

Congressman Pallone Celebrates 47th Anniversary of Medicare Being Signed into Law

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Senior Democrat on the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee, today visited the Long Branch Senior Center to mark Medicare’s 47^th anniversary. Medicare was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 30, 1965 in Independence, Missouri. Thanks to Medicare, virtually all Americans 65 and older have health care coverage and Medicare has increased both seniors’ health and economic security.

Medicare provides comprehensive health care coverage to 48 million Americans, including 40 million seniors and 8 million people under 65 with disabilities. The Affordable Care Act, authored by Congressman Pallone in the House and enacted in 2010, strengthened Medicare by extending its solvency by eight years, through 2024, and improved its benefits.  Specifically, the Affordable Care Act provides Medicare beneficiaries with more preventive services at no cost to them, and closes the Medicare Part D ‘Donut Hole’ by 2020.

“Today we celebrate Medicare’s success providing seniors and people with disabilities with health care security for the past 47 years,” said Pallone. “Medicare remains one of the Democrat’s greatest achievements, and I will fight to protect it for future generations.”

In 2011 and 2012 House Republicans passed budgets that would end the Medicare guarantee and turn Medicare into a voucher system. The GOP voucher would grow more slowly than health care costs.  As a result, according to CBO, the GOP plan would increase seniors’ health care costs by thousands of dollars a year.  

“I strongly reject and voted against Republican proposals to turn Medicare into a voucher system, which would end the Medicare guarantee and drive up health care costs for seniors. We must instead work together to strengthen Medicare, as we recently did through the Affordable Care Act,” Pallone added.

Local Residents To Rally Outside Of Rep. Pallone’s Office Wednesday To Urge Him To Continue To Focus On Jobs Not Cuts

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Residents To Deliver New "Contract for the American Dream"

To Representative's Office

Rally Wednesday at noon at

504 Broadway Long Branch, NJ 07740

In the wake of the final debt deal that raises the nation's debt ceiling but fails to protect the middle class, local residents will gather Wednesday, at noon, at Rep. Pallone’s office to ask that he continue to stand up for the American Dream and focus on job creation, while many in Washington are focusing on cuts to vital programs that Americans depend on.

The recently passed debt deal, which will do nothing to create jobs, forces deep cuts to important programs that protect the middle class while asking nothing of big corporations and millionaires. And though it does not require cuts to Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid benefits, it opens the door for these down the road via an unaccountable Congressional committee.

“We need Washington to focus on protecting the American Dream and creating jobs, not pushing for more cuts to vital services," said Marilyn Michaels, a local MoveOn member. “The Republicans in Washington are holding our economy hostage in pursuit of their extreme ideological agenda. We need Representative Pallone to continue to stand up for the folks in our community and demand more jobs not more cuts."

The rally will take place on Wednesday at noon at 504 Broadway Long Branch, NJ 07740.

Participants will also deliver to Rep. Pallone a new Contract for the American Dream: a plan, written by over 125,000 Americans, to create jobs rather than destroy them. The Contract was released Monday and is attached.

The rallies being held this week are being organized by the new American Dream Movement. In July, over 800 rallies were held across the country to protest the final debt deal that fails to protect the middle class. The American Dream Movement is a growing movement inspired by protests in Wisconsin and fueled by the brutal right-wing attacks on

ContractDream



Contact: Marilyn Michaels
973-727-6424-cell phone

GREEN PARTY TO HOST REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON HEALTHCARE AND LABOR

Asbury Park, NJ - The Green Party of Monmouth County and the Green Party of New Jersey (GPNJ) will host a conference addressing healthcare and labor issues on Sunday, February 27, 12:30-4:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, 1401 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ. The event, which will be held at the Dauphin Grille within the hotel, includes a full buffet lunch and live music by singer-songwriters Jeff Saxon and special guest Tom Neilson.

Registration is $50 per person, with subsidies available to those who require a discount. Contact registrar David Petrovich at njdgreen@aol.com or 732-571-9464. The event home page can be accessed at: http://tinyurl.com/6x848w6.

Keynote speakers include Baltimore pediatrician Margaret Flowers, M.D., Congressional Fellow for Physicians for a National Health Program; Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor of New York State in 2010; and Hugh Giordano, a labor organizer with the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 152, in Philadelphia;.

"Sooner or later the country is going to have to reduce the wastefully high cost of corporate for-profit health insurance," said Steve Welzer, a member of the Green Party's state executive committee. "A single-payer system (Medicare for All) would eliminate the corporate insurance middle-man, cut the price of coverage, and assure that every American enjoys guaranteed quality health care. A goal of the Feb. 27 conference will be to educate the public about the real issues in order to counter the propaganda that dominated the debate last year."

"The Green Party message on healthcare is eminently reasonable," added Lynn Petrovich, C.P.A., who will present a "Rip-off Report" on hospital accounting at the event. "Our health care system, which places profits before people can no longer be tolerated and it is up to Americans to demand change."

Synergy and mutual support among labor activists, healthcare reformers, and those committed to the building of a green economy will be a common theme throughout the conference presentations.

Media Contact: David Petrovich, njdgreen@aol.com; 732-571-9464

States, the system drives 700,000 families to bankruptcy from medical bills (the majority of whom have medical

"The Green Party is no longer the alternative, the Green Party is the imperative"

Facebook | Monmouth County Green Party

www.MonmouthGreens.org

Reform Party of NJ Plans Anti-Eminent Domain Gathering In Asbury Park Jan.22nd

Press Release -

(Long Branch, NJ, 01/06/2011) - Jacob Zychick, chairman of the newly created Reform Party of New Jersey, recently visited the largely vacant storefronts of downtown Long Branch. The oceanfront resort’s business district, located along Broadway, is populated primarily by empty structures, a reminder of a failed “Broadway Center” redevelopment project.

Long Branch garnered national controversy in the early 2000s when the city, seeking to redevelop the boardwalk, utilized Eminent Domain to evict homeowners along the city’s oceanfront. Similar tactics were to be implemented on Broadway, however, the plan is largely viewed as dead, leaving the city’s once bustling business district an empty shell. In August of 2009, a New Jersey court ruled against the city in its redevelopment case.

“Long Branch is a city suffering economic stagnation,” said Zychick. “The public sector has let the people down, and now it is time to call them out on it!”

The Reform Party of New Jersey was first conceived in 2009 by a group of student activists seeking to form a viable alternative to the two major parties. The party is the successor to the original NJ Reform Party, which was founded in the wake of independent Ross Perot’s presidential bid in 1992.

While the original NJ Reform Party was dissolved in 2000, the new organization has made great strides over the past year, even sending members to Dallas to meet with national party leadership (and Ross Perot) in October 2010. The party, which seeks to serve “Main Street and not Wall Street,” has become vocally critical of Eminent Domain abuse, and local government’s failure to acknowledge their own flawed policies.

“Long Branch will become just a city-wide strip mall,” said Zychick. “The continued implementation of Eminent Domain abuse has caused a rapid deterioration in the city’s once prized character. This attempted corporate gentrification has, ironically, resulted in the loss of almost all businesses; I counted only one open business on the eastern portion of Broadway.”

Zychick plans on leading a group of Reform Party activists toAsbury Park, another oceanfront city plagued by Eminent Domain abuse, to discuss the issue with local business owners.

“The residents cannot allow the city’s government to blame the national economic downturn for this loss of businesses,” said Zychick. “They must remember that it was the lack of true
leadership that brought cities like Long Branch and Asbury Park to their own economic demise.”

In the wake of Zychick’s visit to Long Branch, the Reform Party of NJ has announced a meeting of anti-Eminent Domain activists to take place in downtown Asbury Park, on January 22nd, 2011.

The group hopes to meet with local business and homeowners, many of whom live under the constant threat of having their properties seized. The reformers will congregate in John F. Kennedy Park, located on Grand Avenue, starting at 2:30pm.

Further details and scheduled guests will be announced. “If you are as angry as I am,” said Zychick, “then join the Reform Party of New Jersey’s activists on our visit to downtown Asbury Park on January 22nd, 2011!”

Visit www.reformpartynj.org or e-mail

ReformPartyNJ@Gmail.com for further information or to confirm attendance.

Pallone: The Fight Begins Today

Not many people realize that Congressman Frank Pallone is also a blogger extraordinaire, he contributes regulary to the Daily Kos.

This morning he published the following piece that announces his campaign for re-election kick-off event in Long Branch on Sunday afternoon:

With yesterday’s primary election in the books, the journey to November’s general election starts right now.

While we still don’t know who our opponent will be, we do know she will either be a self-funding billionaire or the darling of the tea party. We also know that, no matter what, we will be facing a well-funded right-wing assault seeking to turn back the clock to the Bush/Cheney policies that have caused so many problems for our state and nation.

Congressman Frank Pallone's diary :: ::

I treat every election the same, no matter who is on the ballot: run hard and let the voters know of the work we've done to make their lives better. I’ve been fighting hard every day to deliver real results for the 6th District. I’ve fought to create and protect jobs, while opposing trade agreements that destroy jobs and give tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. I've safeguarded our beaches and am holding corporate polluters accountable by forcing them to foot the bill for cleaning up their toxic waste sites. And I've worked hard on health care reform that will help everyone across the nation.

But there is still much work to be done, and I simply can not continue my work without your support. So I hope you will join me at my hometown headquarters, as we kick-off my re-election campaign. It's not going to be anything fancy – just some food and refreshments – but it will give us all a chance to get to work, making sure the 6th Congressional District stays blue.

Sunday, June 13th
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Pallone for Congress Campaign Headquarters
495 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ
Please RSVP on Facebook
or to matt@pallonefornewjersey.com

Over the coming months, I am going to need help from all of you – the progressive activists who have always made up the backbone of my grassroots campaigns. Together, we will keep fighting to put people to work, make continued investment in renewable energy sources and our infrastructure, and make sure our most vulnerable citizens – children, the impoverished and our seniors – have access to quality, affordable healthcare.

Although it may almost be summer – when many of us are dreaming of days at the beach and barbecues with families and friends - we can not afford to be lackadaisical. Today is when the real fight begins.

So please stop by on Sunday, and be sure to bring your friends and family. As always, don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates on what I’m doing for New Jersey's 6th District, both here at home and down in Washington.

Van Pelt Testifies:" I had a middleman make a bribe payment like to the Mayor of Long Branch"

I have not followed the trail of Daniel Van Pelt very closely but I know damaging testimony when I read it and what he testified to will have damaging effect on the Mayor of Long Branch Adam Schneider's reelecion campaign that could potentially put the mayor behind bars and start a new investigation into allagations of further corruption in Long Branch .

I was forwarded court transcripts from the trail that deal with Van Pelt's testimony as it concerns Mayor Schneider, in sworn testimony at his trail Van Pelt stated:

" I helped pay his credit card bills and there were times where I had a middleman make a bribe payment like to the Mayor of Long Branch or council people of Long Branch or sometimes I vould give out auction tickets.

The Yeshiva would hold a charity auction, every year and I would at times give public officials, like council people in Long Branch, primarily it was the council people in Long Branch and others, free auction tickets for their official assistance in expediting my land use applications, my use for my zoning."

This doesn't sound good for Scheinder, lets wait and see what happens.