Scharfenberger in no rush to decide which office he will seek next year

Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger takes the Oath of Office on Feb 3.

Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger will be running for office again in 2019.  He will either seek his own full term on the Freeholder Board, having been elected to complete Assemblywoman Serena Dimaso’s term last month, or he will seek the Assembly seat being vacated by Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-Middletown).

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The Season: Giving is Contagious

By Greg Kelly

With the nation’s economy now in a very good phase, it’s time to give back to those who are truly in need this holiday season. In good times and bad — generosity is always necessary.

And besides, your efforts at giving can “jumpstart a cascade of generosity through your community.” According to a report from the Greater Good Science Center, “giving is contagious. When we give, we don’t only help the immediate recipient of our gift. We also spur a ripple effect of generosity through our community.”

The following Monmouth County-based charitable/volunteer/service organizations (along with some worthy arts groups) help the needy as well as the community at large. When it comes to giving be sure to remember them this holiday season.

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, December 14-16, 2018:

By Greg Kelly

Courtesy of Teddy Bears by the Shore

Friday, Dec. 14

• Holiday Doo Wop at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “Art” at Holmdel Theatre Company – MORE INFO
• Scrooge (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO
• The Nutcracker by ARB at Two River Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “The Emperor’s New Duds” by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• Holiday Spectacular & Train Display at InfoAge (Wall Twp.) – MORE INFO
• Santa Claus at Sickles Market (Little Silver) – MORE INFO
• August Wilson’s King Hedley II at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “Holiday Model Train Display” at Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

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Hanlon Honored By Monmouth County Superior Officers

Acting Warden Donald Sutton, Sheriff Shaun Golden, Fraternal Order of Police, Superior Officer’s Lodge #30 President Shawn M. Reece, Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry, Freeholder Director Tom Arnone, and Freeholder Gerry P. Scharfenberger, Ph.D.

Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon was honored as the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #30, Monmouth County Superior Officers Association’s Person of the Year for 2018 at the union’s 11th annual winter gala last weekend at Doolan’s in Spring Lake.

“Our admiration for Clerk Hanlon extends back to her career as an attorney. She has consistently been supportive of law enforcement, corrections and our members in particular,” said Lt.Shawn Reece, president of FOP Lodge #30. “In her role as County Clerk, Ms. Hanlon is a role model for elected officials, present and future, for the professionalism and dignity with which she conducts her office.”

Reece told MMM that Hanlon was the unanimous choice of the 11 person screening committee that chose this year’s honoree.

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Arnone Report: County supporting business and education, keeping the roads safe and clean

By Tom Arnone, Monmouth County Freeholder Director

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

I hope everyone is having a happy holiday season! It’s hard to believe the first day of winter is right around the corner when it feels like we just celebrated the end of summer!

As liaison to the department of public works and engineering, I want to ensure everyone that our employees have been preparing for any potential storms during the upcoming winter season. We have the best crews around who all have the same goal in mind – to keep our residents safe during any inclement weather. Our number one priority always has been and always will be safety.

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Pearl Lee considering LD 11 Assembly bid

Pearl Lee

Pearl Lee, the Republican candidate for Red Bank Mayor last month, told MMM that she reached out to Monmouth Republican Chairman Shaun Golden to express her interest in challenging Democrat Assembly Members Eric Houghtailing and Joann Downey in the 11th legislative district next year.

Lee, 64, a retired small business owner, had never sought elected office before securing the Republican nomination for Red Bank Mayor last year as a write-in candidate in the June primary.  She sought the nomination after learning that  the local party failed to field a candidate to challenge Democrat Mayor Pat Menna.

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Welle mulls a run for Assembly in LD 13

Josh Welle marching in Asbury Park with Sen Bob Menendez and Congressman Frank Pallone

NewJerseyGlobe is reporting that Josh Welle said he is considering as run for State Assembly in from the 13th Legislative district.

“It’s something I’m taking a look at,” Welle told the New Jersey Globe.  “I’m going to take the next few weeks to see if that makes sense and see if it’s the best way for me to serve.”

Welle, who is registered to vote in Virginia, did not say if he would seek the Democrat or Republican nomination for Assembly.   He’s been a registered Democrat for less than two years, declaring himself a D after he was turned down for a White House Fellowship in the Trump Administration in 2017.  Shortly thereafter he started running for the Democrat nomination for Congress from New Jersey’s 4th district.

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Gone For The Weekend Almost Sold Out

Andrew Bane, movie star

MMM ran into Andrew Bane and Troy Burbank outside of Atlantic Cinemas this afternoon as they were entering to prepare the theater for tomorrow night’s “work in progress” premiere of Gone For The Weekend,  a romantic comedy shot entirely in Monmouth County that Burbank has been working on for two years.

Bane said that 180 tickets are already sold for the 260 seat showing at 8:30 on Saturday night followed by an after party at On the Deck in the Atlantic Highlands Marina.  Tickets can be purchased online or at the door if there are any left.

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, November 30-December 2, 2018:

By Greg Kelly

Courtesy of Teddy Bears by the Shore

Friday, Nov. 30

• A Christmas Carol: The Musical at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO
• Scrooge (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO
• Luann de Lesseps at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• August Wilson’s King Hedley II at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “Holiday Model Train Display” at Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• “Magic of Lights” at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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14 Arrested In Monmouth County Kiddie Porn Sweep

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni

13 Monmouth County men and one male juvenile were arrested recently in a County-wide investigation into online child pornography, Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced this morning.

“Operation Trading Post” was conducted by the Prosecutor’s Computer Crimes Unit and Monmouth County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force between June of 2018 and October 2018. The operation was designed to reduce online threats to Monmouth County children and to decrease the market for child sexual exploitation by focusing on those individuals seeking out and trafficking in child pornographic materials, according to Gramiccioni’s announcement.

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