CBS News Superstorm Sandy in Belmar Coverage / Matt Doherty for Monmouth County Freeholder

This 2012 video from CBS News documenting the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and the recovery efforts put forth by Belmar Mayor, Matt Doherty, is one of the best reasons I can think of to be voting him on November 8th for Monmouth County Freeholder.

He was a true leader for the residents of Belmar then (and now) and will be for the residents on Monmouth County once elected.




If you haven't seen Doherty's recent campaign commericals which have been running on various cable channels, you can do so below.


Matt Doherty for Monmouth County Freeholder

Monmouth County Dem Candidates Report Over 255K Raised at Primary Campaign Deadline

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2016


Monmouth County Dem Team also reports over $205k Cash On Hand with almost 82% of total contributions from supporters for $300 or less


HAZLET – The Monmouth County Democratic campaigns for Sheriff, Surrogate and Freeholder today announced that they raised over $255,000 ($255,210.18) in their Primary campaign fundraising report. The team continues to boast overwhelming grassroots support throughout the county with almost 82% of the over 800 total contributions from supporters reported coming in at $300 or less, almost 63% of total contributions reported at $200 or less and almost 47% of the total contributions reported coming in for $100 or less.

The overwhelming financial support being offered from people throughout Monmouth County represents just some of the feedback for candidate for Sheriff Jeff Cantor, candidate for Surrogate Vincent Solomeno, and candidates for Freeholder Matt Doherty and Sue Fulton have received as they travel throughout the county highlighting the team’s record of service in our communities. They have also heard the frustrations of middle class taxpayers on the receiving end of skyrocketing taxes as a result of Republican County Chairman and incumbent Sheriff Shaun Golden’s control over every office in county government.

Most recently, people across the county have expressed their frustration with Chairman Golden and the Monmouth County Republican Committee’s refusal to condemn presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump for his claim weeks ago that women seeking abortions should be “punished”, his continued defense of Trump University amidst allegations of fraud and “elder abuse”, his repeated calls for a wall to be built to discriminate against people and his efforts to advance the conspiracy theory that President Obama supports ISIS.

While Sheriff Golden and his running mates have remained silent when asked by reporters to endorse or denounce Trump’s candidacy for fear of alienating those they were elected to represent, their support for his candidacy was made clear when they began advertising Trump signs on the Monmouth County Republican Committee website ((http://monmouthrepublican.org/lawnsign/).

Monmouth County Sheriff candidate Jeff Cantor currently holds the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. Cantor has been in the U.S. Army, both active and in the reserves, since 1985. He has served our country around the world, including deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. After starting as a Private First Class, Cantor rose through the ranks and has earned the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserves. He has also been a Councilman in Marlboro since 2004 where he has served as the Council liaison to the Police Department and as a member of the Local Emergency Planning Council. Cantor is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician for the Township of Marlboro and has been a member of the Marlboro First Aid Squad since 1996, volunteering countless hours to protect and serve the population of Marlboro as well as the surrounding towns.

(Solomeno, Doherty, Cantor and Fulton)

Jeff Cantor has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal (2nd award); He has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Combat Action Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

Raised in Union Beach, Monmouth County Surrogate candidate Vincent Solomeno graduated from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (M.A.S.T.) at Sandy Hook before earning his Bachelor of Science from the University of Scranton. He is the recipient of the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship and J. William Fulbright Scholarship. As a Fulbright Scholar, he received a Master of Arts from the University of Amsterdam for his study of the roots of radicalization in Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the Netherlands.

Solomeno is a Captain in the New Jersey Army National Guard. He has served as an Engineer platoon leader, logistics manager, rear detachment commander, and public affairs officer. From 2010 - 2014, Solomeno was the full time Command Historian of the New Jersey National Guard. He returned in September 2015 from an overseas deployment to Central and Southwest Asia. A recipient of the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, he was called to active duty during and after Superstorm Sandy, working in devastated communities across Monmouth County.

Freeholder candidate Matt Doherty has been Mayor of Belmar since January, 2011 and previously served as a Councilman in town starting in 2007. Since becoming Mayor, Belmar residents have yet to see a tax increase on the municipal level under Mayor Doherty’s leadership.

Doherty also led Belmar through the devastating impacts of Superstorm Sandy, working to provide food, shelter and clothing to affected residents in the aftermath of the storm. He then began immediately working with local, county, state and federal officials to rebuild and improve Belmar. Doherty worked tirelessly to successfully fulfill his pledge to get every family in town impacted by Superstorm Sandy back in their homes. A Financial Advisor, Mayor Doherty graduated Georgetown University with a BA in government in 1995 and went on to earn his Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University in 1997. He and his wife, Maggie, are raising their three children, Hannah, Claire and Séamus, in Belmar.

Freeholder candidate Sue Fulton is a 1980 West Point graduate, part of the first class to admit women. She served as a platoon leader and company commander in Germany, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Army Captain. She helped found several military organizations, including Knights Out and OutServe, working on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell.” Since leaving the military, she has managed businesses at companies like Procter & Gamble and Merck for over 20 years. In 2011, President Obama appointed Fulton to the West Point Board of Visitors, and she currently serves as Chair.

Sue and her partner of 20 years, Penny Gnesin, currently live in Asbury Park and were the first same-sex couple to marry at the Cadet Chapel at West Point.

Over 300 Supporters Help Kick Off 2016 Monmouth County Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2016

BELMAR MAYOR DOHERTY AND FARMINGDALE COUNCILMEMBER IMMEN KICKOFF FREEHOLDER CAMPAIGNS


BELMAR – Surrounded by over 300 supporters, including New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney, State Democratic Party Chairman John Currie, U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, Union County Sheriff and Former State Democratic Party Chairman Joe Cryan, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, Former US Senator Bob Torricelli, State Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (Hudson), State Assemblyman Jamel Holley (Union), State Assemblyman Daniel Benson (Mercer), State Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (Monmouth), State Assemblyman Joann Downey (Monmouth), Former State Assemblyman Jason O'Donnell (Hudson), Middlesex County Freeholder Ken Armwood, Essex County Freeholder Leonard Luciano and mayors and councilmembers across Central New Jersey including Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik, Atlantic Highlands Mayor Randi LeGrice, Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long, Manasquan Mayor Ed Donovan, Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini, Matawan Mayor Joe Altomonte, Neptune Mayor Kevin McMillan, Spring Lake Mayor Jennifer Naughton, Lake Como Mayor Brian Wilton, Red Bank Mayor Pat Menna, Brick Township Mayor John Ducey and dozens of other councilmembers and mayors from across Central New Jersey, Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty and former Farmingdale Council member Carly Immen formally kicked off their campaign for the two seats that will be contested on Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders this November.

Doherty and Immen join Sheriff candidate Jeff Cantor and Surrogate candidate Vincent Solomeno as prospective candidates on the Democratic slate for Countywide office in November.

“We believe in putting people before politics,” said Mayor Doherty. “It’s that belief that has allowed us to attract great new businesses to Belmar that put people to work, help keep taxes down and provide tremendous destinations for residents and visitors alike. We have had no tax increases in Belmar in five years, while just last year the County freeholders raised property taxes millions of dollars on middle class families. That is simply unacceptable.”


“I’m not running for a cause or to protest something,” continued Doherty. “I’m running because it is becoming almost impossible to raise a family in Monmouth County with the skyrocketing county taxes. I’m running to help attract more businesses countywide and I’m running because more needs to be done to get Sandy impacted families countywide back in their homes. And our team is running to win.”

Matt Doherty has been Mayor of Belmar since January, 2011 and previously served as a Councilman in town starting in 2007. Since becoming Mayor, Belmar residents have yet to see a tax increase on the municipal level. He is a Financial Advisor for Metlife Premier client group of New Jersey in Wall. Mayor Doherty graduated Georgetown University with a BA in government in 1995 and went on to earn his Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University in 1997. He and his wife, Maggie, are raising their three children, Hannah, Claire and Séamus, in Belmar.

“County property taxes have continued to rise because Monmouth County government has had no checks and balances of late,” said Carly Immen. “Instead of running government the same way you would run your household or business finances the Freeholder Board has become a solely partisan operation consistently draining money from the pockets of middle class taxpayers. My husband and I are raising our family here in Monmouth County and there is nothing more important to me than ensuring that we get things back on track and moving in the right direction, and I believe that public service is the most direct route towards achieving that goal.”

Carly Immen proudly served as a member of the Farmingdale Borough Council and successfully formed a self-supporting Recreation Commission to bring community events and programs to residents of all ages, a first for Farmingdale. She also led the effort to build and install a Little Free Library in town and is currently active in the Farmingdale School PTA and as a Farmingdale Recreation Commission volunteer. She is the Marketing Director for the Atlantic Club and Milagro Spa and holds a Bachelors degree in English with a minor in political science. Carly is married to Kevin Immen, Director of Sales for United States Beverage and a United States Marine, and together they are raising three daughters, Charlotte, Mary Cate and Erin.

Jeff Cantor previously announced his candidacy for Monmouth County Sheriff. Cantor has been in the U.S. Army, both active and in the reserves, since 1985. He has served our country around the world, including deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. After starting as a Private First Class, Cantor rose through the ranks and has earned the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserves. He has also been a Councilman in Marlboro since 2004 where he has served as the Council liaison to the Police Department and as a member of the Local Emergency Planning Council. Cantor is also a licensed Emergency Medical Technician for the Township of Marlboro and has been a member of the Marlboro First Aid Squad since 1996, volunteering countless hours to protect and serve the population of Marlboro as well as the surrounding towns.

Jeff Cantor has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal (2nd award); He has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Combat Action Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

Vincent Solomeno announced his candidacy for Monmouth County Surrogate last week. Raised in Union Beach, Solomeno graduated from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (M.A.S.T.) at Sandy Hook before earning his Bachelor of Science from the University of Scranton. He is the recipient of the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship and J. William Fulbright Scholarship. As a Fulbright Scholar, he received a Master of Arts from the University of Amsterdam for his study of the roots of radicalization in Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the Netherlands.

Solomeno is a Captain in the New Jersey Army National Guard. He has served as an Engineer platoon leader, logistics manager, rear detachment commander, and public affairs officer. From 2010 - 2014, Solomeno was the full time Command Historian of the New Jersey National Guard. He returned in September 2015 from an overseas deployment to Central and Southwest Asia. A recipient of the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, he was called to active duty during and after Superstorm Sandy, working in devastated communities across Monmouth County.

In addition to his service on the Hazlet Land Use Board, Vincent Solomeno is a trustee of the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association, a member of the American Legion, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), the Netherland-America Foundation, and Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Keyport.

APP names Vin Gopal And Matt Doherty as "Rising Star" Up-And-Comers To Keep An Eye On

The Asbury Park Press yesterday published a list of 15 up-and-coming political figures in the state to keep an eye on in the upcoming months and years. Chief among them were Monmouth County Democratic Party ChairmanVin Gopal and Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty.

This honor is well deserved, each of these guys are hard working individuals that do an outstanding job. They are each dedicated to those that they serve and have a very bright future ahead of them. People around the state should definitely keep an eye on them.

Here's what the APP had to say about them:

Monmouth County Chairman Vin Gopal

Vin Gopal, Democrat, 27, of Long Branch, was elected Monmouth County Democratic Party chairman in June 2012, making him the youngest county chairman in the state. “He’s a go-getter, he will enliven the party,” one observer noted. His aggressive fundraising efforts have helped the Democrats win elections in key municipalities and his grass-roots organizing has led to the formation of new Democratic clubs in Allentown, Upper Freehold, Neptune City, Little Silver, West Long Branch and other municipalities. He is a small-business owner.

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty

Matt Doherty, Democrat, 39, is a first-term mayor in Belmar. He already was on the radar of some New Jersey political observers as a bright, well-connected potential fast-riser from the municipal ranks before superstorm Sandy hit. But amid the Shore devastation, Doherty, who is a financial adviser, has made a bigger name for himself as one of the prominent local voices vowing to restore their communities. There will be plenty of praise to go around for the Shore towns that have recovered enough to keep the tourism dollars flowing as the weather warms. If Belmar delivers, Doherty could ride a congratulatory wave a long way.

Congressman Pallone and Senator Menendez Vow to Protect Medicare for New Jersey Seniors

For Immediate Release:
4/20/12

BELMAR, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) met with seniors at Matisse in Belmar, NJ to discuss the future of Medicare, Social Security and the benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The lawmakers also talked about Republican efforts to end the Medicare guarantee and reopen the Medicare Part D “donut hole” by repealing the ACA.  Pallone and Menendez were hosted by Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty.

 “Republicans in Congress have launched an all-out assault on seniors,” said Pallone.  “Whether it’s through their budget, which ends Medicare as we know it and turns it into a voucher program, or their attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which has done so much to make health care more affordable for seniors, Republican policies are hurting seniors.  Senator Menendez and I will continue to fight to maintain the programs that are so critical for New Jersey’s seniors.

” The Republican House Majority recently passed a budget that slashes $1 trillion from Medicare over the next decade and ends the Medicare guarantee, shifting costs to seniors by privatizing the program and creating a voucher system. Based on estimates, this would increase seniors’ health costs by over $6,000 each year.

The Affordable Care Act, which was eliminated in the Republican House budget, has already resulted in real benefits for New Jersey’s seniors. Almost a million New Jersey seniors have taken advantage of free preventative health services now covered under Medicare, such as colonoscopies and mammograms. New Jersey seniors also saved more than $95 million on prescription drugs in 2011 because of discounts provided for in the health care law.

 “Respecting seniors in this country means protecting Medicare and Social Security, not cutting them so we can give tax breaks to Big Oil Companies and tax cuts to billionaires who don’t need them. I can tell you that I will continue to do all I can in Washington and here at home to keep our promise to seniors,” said Senator Menendez.