Candidates Night to be hosted by the LVGA on Tuesday, October 23rd at 7pm at Lincroft School.

The Lincroft Village Green Association (LVGA) is hosting a Candidates Night on Tuesday, October 23rd, 7:00pm-9:00pm, at Lincroft School. The candidates for Middletown Township Committee, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the Monmouth County Clerk will answer questions presented by the League of Women Voters and compiled by members of the community. The public is welcome to attend. Questions can be submitted prior to the event date through an online form at www.lincroft.org. Forms will also be provided at the door prior to opening statements for any attendees to submit questions for the candidates. At the discretion of the moderator, questions will be chosen and presented to the candidates as time permits.

Candidates expected to attend this question and answer session are as follows:
• Middletown Township Committee: Linda Baum (D) and Steve Massell (R)
• Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders: John Curley (R), Serena DiMaso (R),
   Kevin Lavan (D), and William Shea (D)
• Monmouth County Clerk: M. Claire French (R) and Michael Steinhorn (D)

Lincroft School is located just west of Phalanx Road on CR520 (Newman Springs Road), about one mile west of GSP Exit 109. Parking is available at Lincroft School and also at Middletown’s Thompson Park athletic fields, just west of Lincroft School.

The Lincroft Village Green Association is a civic association of community volunteers committed to quality of life issues in the village of Lincroft, including traffic calming, safer vehicular and pedestrian circulation, historic preservation and beautification. For more information about the LVGA and this event, or to submit a question for the candidates through our online form, please visit the LVGA website at www.lincroft.org. The LVGA can also be contacted at 732-769-9881.

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The public is welcome to attend this informative evening. You may submit questions at the door or submit questions prior to the event by completing this form

Monmouth Park Fundraiser For Shea, Lavan & Steinhorn

(click to enlarge)

Monmouth Democrats Have Spoken And The Candidates Are...

Monmouth County Democratic Convention

There weren't many surprises tonight at the Monmouth County Democratic Convention, where the only decision that delegates needed to make was who would get to take on Republican Chris Smith in the new 4th Congressional District.

For delegates that live in the 4th district they had to choose between Red Bank Attorney Patricia Bennett or semi-retired businessman Brian Froelich, both presented themselves well and gave inspired introductions of themselves. When the votes were counted it was Brian Froelich who earned the Party nod over Bennett and will take on Chris Smith in November.

Brian Froelich

Congressman Frank Pallone was also at tonight's Convention accepting the Monmouth Democrats endorsement for himself and Senator Robert Menendez. Pallone spoke about the importance of democratic values and the differences between the proposed federal budget President Obama presented to Congress a number of weeks ago and the one that Rep Paul Ryan and the Republicans presented yesterday, he said that was a clear difference between the two. The President's budget wants to invest in things like infrastructure and education, while the Republican budget wants to cut taxes for the wealthy, decrease education spending and eliminate Medicare and Medicaid for seniors and the working poor.

Congressman Frank Pallone

 For the Monmouth County Freeholder race former Hazlet Mayor Kevin Lavan and last year's Freeholder Candidate Bill Shea, were unopposed for the Party's nod. It was announced that Kevin Lavan would be seeking to fill the unexpired term up for grabs against newly appointed Freeholder Serena Dimaso, while Bill Shea will be looking to fill the full term against current Freeholder Director John Curley.  

Kevin Lavan and Bill Shea

And rounding out the ticket it will be Rumson's Michael Steinhorn who will be running for Monmouth County Clerk for the Democrats.

Michael Steinhorn

Those that participated in tonight's Convention were enthusiastic and felted that they were putting forward an extremely strong ticket, they left feeling united behind the candidates and vowed to work hard on the behalf of each one knowing that the political landscape is shaping up on both the national and local levels, to be a big fight about values and the roll of government in our lives.

Slate Set For Democrats At Monmouth Convention

This Thursday night the Monmouth County Democrats will be gathering in Keansburg to nominate their slate of candidates that will be running for office this November.

The only choice that delegates at the convention will be asked to make, will decide who to gets the Party nod in the 4th Congressional race to take on Rep. Chris Smith. Red Bank Attorney Patricia Bennett and Spring Lake businessman Brian Froelich will be looking to gain delegate support in that race.

So from top down, it seems that the slate of candidates will be as follows after the convention:

POTUS - Barrack Obama
US Senate - Bob Menendez
4th Congressional District -  Patricia Bennett or Brian Froelich
6th Congressional District - Frank Pallone

Monmouth County Freeholder - Kevin Lavan (Hazlet), Bill Shea (Howell)
County Clerk - Michael Steinhorn (Rumson)


Those seeking County office shouldn't be a mystery to convention delegates, Freeholder candidates Kevin Lavan and Bill Shea, ran last year. Lavan ran for State Assembly in the 13th District and Shea for Freeholder, while Michael Steihorn charmed many in his bid for County Surrogate last year.

Clean sweep for Republicans in Legislative and County Races in Monmouth

Besides being an other tough election night in Middletown it was also a tough night for Democratic candidates that were running in the 11th, 12th and 13th Legislative Districts as well as Monmouth County.

The Teams of Santiago, Gopal & Horigan (11th), Brown, Spedding & Rome (12th) and Cullen, Lavan & Short(13th), Morlino, Klienhendler & O'Rourke (30th) as well as, Monmouth County Freeholder Amy Mallet, her running mate Bill Shea and Surrogate candidate Michael Steinhorn all lost their respective races.

The big upsets out of this bunch needless to say, are the losses of Amy Mallet and Vin Gopal who both gained the endorsements of the Asbury Park Press.

Mallet presence on the Board of Chosen Freeholders will be missed. She was responsible for spear heading the effort to create the County's Department of Veterans Affairs (at no cost to tax payers), the County's solar initiative and was a leading voice for the ouster of the Brookdale trustees who where responsible for giving such lavish perks and contract to former Brookdale President Peter Burnham. Mallet was also an advocate for term limits for appointees of various boards and commissions through out the County so that abuses like the one discovered at Brookdale would not be repeated elsewhere.

After picking up the endorsement of the Asbury Park Press expectations skyrocketed for Vin Gopal to wrestle 1 of the 2 available Assembly seats away from the incumbent Republicans. The Republicans thought that Gopal's election to the Assembly was such a strong possibility, they resorted to an all out personal attack on him by sending out inflammatory and totally misleading campaign material about him that both the Newark Star Ledger and the Asbury Park Press condemned as dirty and false.

Below are the official results of each race from the Monmouth County Clerks webpage:

11th District Senate

REP - Jennifer Beck 20,156 - 56.59%
DEM - Raymond Santiago 15,419 - 43.29%

11th District Assembly

REP - Mary Pat Angelini	18,420	26.39%
REP - Caroline Casagrande	18,679	26.76%
DEM - Vin Gopal	15,333	21.97%
DEM - Kathleen Horgan	15,000	21.49%
- Daniel Jacobson	2,340	3.35%

12th District Senate

REP - Samuel D. Thompson	6,089	59.20%
DEM - Robert 'Bob' Brown	4,182	40.66%

12th District Assembly

REP - Ronald S. Dancer	6,155	30.27%
REP - Robert D. Clifton	6,090	29.95%
DEM - William 'Bill' Spedding	3,995	19.65%
DEM - Catherine Tinney Rome	4,076	20.05%

13th District Senate

REP - Joe Kyrillos, Jr.	24,041	59.89%
DEM - Christopher G. Cullen	14,739	36.72%
- Karen Anne Zaletel	515	1.28%
- Stephen J. Boracchia	554	1.38%
- MacDara F. Lyden	257	0.64%

13th District Assembly

REP - Amy H. Handlin	23,993	30.49%
REP - Declan O'Scanlon	22,685	28.82%
DEM - Kevin M. Lavan	15,118	19.21%
DEM - Patrick Short	15,286	19.42%
- Frank C. Cottone	830	1.05%
- William H. Lawton	751	0.95%

30th District Senate

REP - Robert W. Singer	12,991	63.58%
DEM - Steve Morlino	7,419	36.31%

30th District Assembly

REP - Sean T. Kean	14,058	34.22%
REP - David P. Rible	12,704	30.92%
DEM - Howard Kleinhendler	6,451	15.70%
DEM - Shaun O'Rourke	7,112	17.31%
- David Schneck	729	1.77%

Monmouth County Freeholder

REP - Gary Rich	54,979	26.60%
REP - Lillian G. Burry	54,969	26.59%
DEM - Amy Mallet	46,413	22.45%
DEM - William Shea	43,457	21.02%
- Thomas Markowski	5,418	2.62%
- Patrick Noble	1,389	0.67%

Monmouth County Surrogate

REP - Rosemarie D. Peters	62,108	60.23%
DEM - Michael Steinhorn	40,894	39.65%
Write-In	124	0.12%

Freeholder Amy Mallet Is Asking for Your Vote Tuesday November 8 (Tomorrow)

Please vote on Tuesday! Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

I will never forget the oath I took when first elected three years ago. Difficult decisions are being made constantly, but my policies have always put People Before Politics. In the words of the Asbury Park Press where they endorsed my re-election bid for Freeholder, "Mallet has been the strongest voice for open government and fiscal restraint."


My proud accomplishments include leading the charge in opening the Monmouth County Veterans Service Office, initiating the first major installation of solar power for County buildings, and the Wellness Discount Card for all residents of Monmouth County. I sent the library budget back because I would not accept tax increases to fatten up a reserve fund which resulted in saving taxpayers $6 million.


As the "watchdog" of the board, I've successfully fought for more transparency in government. While it has improved, there is still more work to do. What sets me apart is my commitment to serving all the people of Monmouth County. I am the only member of the present board who supports a healthy policy of term limits for members of our autonomous boards and commissions. I have stood up against costly cronyism and maintain a very high ethical standard. It is my hope that the people of Monmouth County will come out to support me in this year's election since there is more work to be done.

On Tuesday, November 8, I ask you to cast your vote for Amy Mallet and my running mate, William Shea for Freeholder.


Sincerely,

Freeholder Amy Mallet

Meet & Greet The Candidates Democratic Football Watch

Please Join

Congressman Frank Pallone

13th District Candidates Chris Cullen for State Senate, Kevin M. Lavan & Patrick Short for State Assembly.

and

Monmouth County Democratic Freeholder Candidates Amy Mallet & Bill Shea and friends, for a fun filled afternoon of football, food, and spirits.

$15 gets you food, open bar, and THE JETS!

Sunday, November 6 · 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Red Oak Diner
2973 Route 35 North, Hazlet

Bill Shea For Monmouth County Freeholder

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct 28, 2011

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ – Howell resident and former New Jersey State Trooper Bill Shea is running for the Democratic position of Monmouth County Freeholder alongside Surrogate hopeful Michael Steinhorn and Freeholder encumbent Amy Mallet.

Shea states that he will bring a new energy and viewpoint to the Board of Chosen Freeholders, showing in-office fiscal responsibility while working to stimulate Monmouth County job growth.

“My career as a state trooper in New Jersey has been exceptionally rewarding and I will treasure all of the fine men and women I have befriended while serving New Jersey,” says Shea. “I take with me the experience and confidence the State Police has taught me and look forward to serving the State of New Jersey as a Monmouth County Freeholder.”

Shea served the people as a New Jersey State Trooper for ten years as a member of the Field Operations and Homeland Security Sections. His career ended when the Division of Law and Public Safety involuntarily retired him due to multiple injuries sustained during his career. Shea graduated from Keansburg High School and received his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Monmouth University, later continuing to earn his Masters Degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson. Shea is supported by his loving wife Lori, a Certified Athletic Trainer at Lincoln High School in Jersey City.

The Board of Chosen Freeholders is empowered with a wide scope of authority mandated by the State of New Jersey. The board wears many hats and has legislative and executive functions including oversight and regulation of county property and finances. This entails three hundred and eighty miles of county roads, one thousand bridges, and maintenance of more that 14,500 acres of county parks.

Shea has been endorsed for Monmouth County Freeholder by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 30,The Monmouth and Ocean Counties Central Labor Council, The Monmouth County Education Association in conjunction with N.J.E.A. and 6th District Congressman Frank Pallone.

For more information visit www.votebillshea.com.

Asbury Park Press Endorses Amy Mallet for Freeholder

The Asbury Park Press today endorsed Amy Mallet's re-election bid for Monmouth County Freeholder. Here is some of what the APP had to say:

"...As with any elected body, bipartisan representation tends to keep both parties on their best behavior.

The long stretch of 5-0 GOP domination in the late 1990s and most of the following decade proved unhealthy for the county’s political culture.

For that reason and more, we support the candidacies of incumbent Amy Mallet, the lone Democrat on the board...

Mallet, 55, who is seeking her second term, has been the strongest voice ... for open government and fiscal restraint. Mallet also established the Monmouth County Veterans Service Office and was responsible for the largest solar project in the county....

...Mallet’s allegations that Burry provided patronage work to friends and allies, and was casual about hiring procedures, have merit.Burry also supported, unlike Mallet, signing off on the questionable deal that would pay Manalapan’s Republican mayor, Andrew Lucas, $1.15 million to preserve his farm in Manalapan.

The deal has been put on hold by the State Agriculture Development Committee, pending a ruling from the State Ethics Commission...."

Unfortunately for Mallet's running mate, Bill Shea, the APP chose not to endorse him as well. It seems that the APP has once again decided that it would be better to "bullet" their endorsement than take a definitive stand that would provide much needed support of Freeholder Mallet while she sits on the dais in Freehold.

Shea is a bright and energenic guy that wouldn't be intimidated by others on the board and he would provide the much need 2nd vote that would allow many items to be discussed or brought to a vote.

Fundraiser to support Freeholder Amy Mallet

Please join us for a cocktail reception to support Freeholder Amy Mallet.

Amy has proven her tireless dedication in serving all the residents of Monmouth County.

With your help we can ensure her re-election.

Also meet her running mates:

Bill Shea for Freeholder and Michael Steinhorn for Surrogate.

Hosted by

Mary Mahoney & Linda Baum.

Special guests:

Patrick Short & Kevin Lavin, Candidates for Assembly District 13.

Jim Grenafege and Carol Fowler, Candidates for Middletown Township Committee.

Suggested donation:

$30 per person, $50 per couple

Friend: $50

Thursday, October 6 · 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Mahoney Residence
286 Everett Rd.
Lincroft, New Jersey

Upcoming Fundraisers In Support Of Amy Mallet, Bill Shea, Christopher Cullen, Kevin Lavan & Patrick Short

The following is a list of upcoming fundraisers for Democratic Candidates Freeholder Amy Mallet, Freeholder Candidate Bill Shea and 13th Legislative District Candidates Christopher Cullen, Kevin Lavan and Patrick Short.

Each event should be a great time for those that would be interested in showing their support of the candidates by attending:

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

Fundraiser in Support of Freeholder Amy Mallet

6:30-8:30pm
Home of Sean Byrnes, 880 West Front Street, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701
For more information or to RSVP:

email info@amymallet.com


Sunday, July 31st, 2011

Haskell Invitational Fundraiser in support of Bill Shea for Freeholder

Monmouth Park, Oceanport, New Jersey
$65/supporter, $120/sponsor, $250/gold sponsor

Please make checks payable to:

Friends of Bill Shea for Freeholder, P.O. Box 155, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730

Please RSVP to:

Maryellen Principe at 732.888.1862

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Labor Leaders of the 13th District Reception In support of

Kevin Lavan, Patrick Short and Chris Cullen

7-9pm
Assaggini di Roma

3253 Highway 35 North, Hazlet NJ 07730

RSVP to Joe Caliendo at 732.671.0870

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Golf outing in Support of Bill Shea for Freeholder

11am
Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, 20 Shore Oak Drive, Farmingdale, NJ 07727

$250/guest, $500/sponsor, $1,000/silver sponsor and $2,500 gold sponsor

$50 guest dinner with paying golf participant, $75 for dinner only (no golf)

Please RSVP or for more info call:

Ron Principe at 732.888.1862

email ronprincipe@gmail.com or votebillshea@gmail.com

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

Fashion Show in support of Bill Shea for Freeholder

Lakeside Manor, Route 36, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730
$40/supporter, $80/sponsor, $150/gold sponsor

RSVP to Maryellen Principe at 732.888.1862

Please make checks payable to:

Friends of Bill Shea for Freeholder, P.O. Box 155, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730

Friday, August 19th, 2011

A Night of Comedy supporting Kevin Lavan, Patrick Short and Christopher Cullen for 13th Legislative District

7-11pm
Bayshore Senior Recreation Center

100 Main Street

Keansburg, New Jersey

$40/supporter, $75/friend and $150/co-host

Buffet included

RSVP to:

John Amberg @ jamberg825@gmail.com or 732-291-4272

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.