During the period of March 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024, the Middletown Twp. Police Department responded to 4,004 calls for service, including 316 first aid calls, 23 fire calls, 161 burglar alarms, and 159 motor vehicle crashes. 

Police officers arrested 45 individuals, including 7 for outstanding bench warrants and 9 for domestic violence.  Arrests are as follows:

Joey Colombo, age 33, from Clifton, was arrested by Officer Anthony Bartolone for driving under the influence.  Colombo was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Joanne Rodriguez, age 57, from Keyport, was arrested by Officer Eric Van Schaack for driving under the influence.  Rodriguez was processed and released on her own recognizance.  

Carmela DiStefano, age 39, from Highlands, was arrested by Officer Raymond Sofield for assault by auto, driving under the influence, refusing breath test and reckless driving.  DiStefano was processed and lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold.

Idalismar Delgado, age 28, from Neptune, was arrested by Officer Adrianna Lanfranco for a contempt of court warrant.  Delgado was processed and released to the Toms River Police Department.

Nicholas Fialk, age 27, from Keansburg, was arrested by Officer Paul Hadinger for contempt of court warrants.  Fialk was processed and released to the Hazlet Police Department.

Peter Jeffers, age 29, from Highlands, was arrested by Officer Dana McQuade for driving under the influence.  Jeffers was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Jennifer Connors, age 53, from Belford, was arrested by Officer Raymond Sofield for driving under the influence.  Connors was processed and released on her own recognizance.

Jessica Milano, age 38, from Keansburg, was arrested by Officer Joshua Chambers for driving under the influence.  Milano was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Jahvon Wells-Bailey, age 37, from Middletown, was arrested by Officer Matthew Geiss for criminal mischief and unlawful possession of weapons.  Wells-Bailey was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Howard Edwards, age 34, from Keyport, was arrested by Officer Daniel Flannigan for hindering, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Edwards was processed and lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold.

Christie Johnson, age 40, from Keansburg, was arrested by Officer Daniel Flannigan for burglary, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Johnson was processed and lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold.

Ros Lee, age 42, from Keyport, was arrested by Officer Daniel Flannigan for burglary, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Lee was processed and lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold.

Daniel Chong, age 42, from Holmdel, was arrested by Officer Eric Van Schaack for driving under the influence.  Chong was processed and released on his recognizance.

Valerie Rumsey, age 45, from Keansburg, was arrested by Officer Adrianna Lanfranco for driving under the influence.  Rumsey was processed and released.

Josey Randolph, Jr., age 41, from Bronx, NY, was arrested by Detective Daniel Sullivan for theft.  Randolph was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Ryan Clark, age 30, from Atlantic Highlands, was arrested by Officer Peter McGovern for shoplifting.  Clark was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Jennifer Best, age 39, from Belford, was arrested by Officer Kenney Kozak for a contempt of court warrant and driving under the influence.  Best was processed and released on her own recognizance.

Shanna Passalacqua, age 36, from Middletown, was arrested by Officer Joshus Chambers for shoplifting, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Passalacqua was processed and lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold.

Nicholas Tortomasi, age 35, from Atlantic Highlands, was arrested by Officer John Mania for assault by auto and driving under the influence.  Tortomasi was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Philip Soto, Jr., age 25, from Middletown, was arrested by Officer William Perez for a contempt of court warrant.  Soto was processed and released to the Keansburg Police Department.

Harold Heffernan, Jr., age 65, from Middletown, was arrested by Officer Ryan Maguire for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and driving under the influence.  Heffernan was processed and released on a summons complaint.

George Partusch, age 31, from Middletown, was arrested by Officer Christopher Glietz for shoplifting.  Partusch was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Peter Dickson, Jr., age 29, from Shrewsbury, was arrested by Officer Michael Masiello for driving under the influence.  Dickson was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Andrew Lindner, age 56, from Port Monmouth, was arrested by Officer Julian Reis for terroristic threats and possession of unlawful weapons.  Lindner was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Richard Fetherston, age 43, from Leonardo, was arrested by Officer Michael Masiello for a contempt of court warrant and driving under the influence.  Fetherston was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Haq Khan, age 26, from Union Beach, was arrested by Detective Ric Cruz for selling tobacco products to underage.  Khan was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Muhammad Shahid, age 19, from Union Beach, was arrested by Detective Ric Cruz for sale of tobacco products to underage.  Shahid was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Nelson Yumul, age 69, from Middletown, was arrested by Detective Ric Cruz for sale of tobacco products to underage.  Yumul was processed and released on a summons complaint.

Reminder: A person that has been arrested or charged with an offense is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Additionally, except in specific circumstances, arrest and complaint information and names of those charged may be released.

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These two highly qualified candidates have stepped forward to run for town council to bring a fresh perspective with a commitment to transparency, communication, and proactive governance. With their combined professional and philanthropic experience and dedication, they aim to elevate the standards of public service and promote inclusive decision-making within the Rumson community.

Transparency is at the forefront of Mr. Izzo and Ms. Hoitt’s platform. They believe that open and honest communication is essential for building trust between elected officials and the community they serve. If elected, they are committed to ensuring that all council proceedings are accessible to the public, with clear explanations of decision-making processes and opportunities for citizen input and engagement.

Their emphasis on communication extends beyond mere transparency. Mr. Izzo and Ms. Hoitt recognize the importance of actively engaging with residents to understand their concerns and aspirations. This engagement need not stop at our town borders; strong dialogue with Federal, State and County leaders is imperative to address critical initiatives for Rumson such as Affordable Housing mandates, rebuilding of the Oceanic and Sea Bright bridges, and family safety concerns.  These are just a few of the issues Mr. Izzo and Ms. Hoitt have already begun addressing with government representatives.  

Mr. Izzo and Ms. Hoitt are proactive leaders and will bring that approach to Town Council. By collaborating with various stakeholders, including community organizations, businesses, and local experts, they seek to implement forward-thinking policies that benefit all residents and promote sustainable growth. 

In a joint statement, Mr. Izzo and Ms. Hoitt expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity to serve their fellow citizens: “More energy, fresh ideas, and better communication are the cornerstones of our vision for Rumson. We are committed to preserving our town's rich culture while welcoming all families, old and new, with open arms." 

The June 4th primary presents an important opportunity for ALL voters to support candidates who embody the essential concepts of transparency, communication, and proactive governance. Mr. Pete Izzo and Ms. Stephanie Hoitt invite their fellow residents to join them in their journey towards a more responsive and accessible local government.  

Pete Izzo lives in Rumson with his wife, Marian, and their three children;  Grayson is in 1st grade, Waverly is in pre-kindergarten, and little Bryce is 7 months old.  Pete is very active in the community, and serves as the Chairman of the Sandy Hook Foundation.  Pete is a Managing Director at Merrill Lynch, where he founded one of the largest private wealth groups in the country.  Pete loves Rumson, and believes strongly in preserving its family culture for all residents.  

Stephanie Hoitt lives in Rumson with her husband, Jason, a biotech executive, and their two daughters, Harper, 12, a sixth grader at Forrestdale, and Hayes, 9, a third grader at Deane Porter. After a professional career in client relationship management, marketing and public relations that spanned industries from sports to technology to finance, Stephanie now enjoys her role in the community, chairing events and committees for the VNA (Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey) and Rumson Garden Club, among other philanthropic organizations.  Stephanie is committed to preserving the cherished family community in Rumson.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Pete Izzo and Stephanie Hoitt

MonmouthCountyRepublicanOrg@gmail.com

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Opened in 1917, Fort Monmouth is surrounded by the Eatontown, Tinton Falls, and Oceanport communities. It was named Fort Monmouth in honor of the soldiers of the American Revolution who died in the battle of Monmouth and was home to the U.S. Army’s Signal Corps. 

Since its closure in 2011, the Fort has faced numerous challenges and setbacks as multiple developers have walked away from the property.  However, thanks to the years of dedicated efforts by the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA), Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone, the Monmouth County Commissioners and the unwavering support of stakeholders like Piperno and Eulner, the redevelopment of this historic site has taken a significant step forward. 

Located in parts of the 11th Legislative District, including Eatontown, Shrewsbury Township, and Tinton Falls, Fort Monmouth faced challenges attracting potential buyers due to environmental concerns surrounding undeveloped land.  However, with Netflix's recent announcement of this major economic development project on the 300-acre property in Fort Monmouth, it will transform it into an entertainment hub on the East Coast and the landscape and future of Fort Monmouth is quickly changing.

“Despite the tumultuous journey thus far, the Fort is poised for a successful revitalization,” says the Assemblywomen. “We are incredibly proud to have played a role in the transformation of Fort Monmouth and the revitalization of this area," said Piperno. "Our advocacy for bringing in capital investment, new businesses, job opportunities, and growth to this region has been unwavering."

Eulner added, "The redevelopment of Fort Monmouth showcases our commitment to economic growth and revitalization in Monmouth County. We enthusiastically support FMERA, Monmouth County and are dedicated to creating a prosperous future for our community.”

Thanks to Piperno and Eulner's support, millions of dollars in capital investments are being brought into our area, thousands of jobs will be created, and Fort Monmouth has established itself as a thriving, modern community.  In addition, the redevelopment project has led to the establishment of a new tech hub for high-tech startups, a brewery, an events venue, an athletic club, and more, diversifying the businesses at Fort Monmouth.

Piperno and Eulner continue to urge residents to support and embrace Fort Monmouth's revitalization and its positive impact on the local economy and community. With their continued support, Fort Monmouth is poised to become a dynamic hub for business, innovation, and entertainment, further solidifying its role in the economic growth of Monmouth County.

Allegations of campaign finance irregularities prompt demands for transparency in the Legislative District 30 Assembly election.

Democratic candidate for Assembly Alexander "Avi" Schnall, faces scrutiny for failing to include legally required paid-for statements in campaign media, including multiple WhatsApp status update videos shared by local news outlets. These videos, each costing hundreds of dollars, have ignited questions about his campaign’s financial irregularities.

Additionally, voters in the 30th Legislative District received a mail piece from the Schnall campaign asking for their support on October 3, 2023. This mailer carries a disclaimer reading "Paid for by Schnall for 30th Assembly," which, in violation of Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) regulations, does not include the committee's address or phone number that funded the communication.

On October 10, 2023, "Schnall for 30th Assembly" filed its 29-day pre-election report, revealing only a single $100 cash contribution during the reporting period ending on October 6, 2023. Equally concerning is the report's absence of any expenditures, including the WhatsApp videos and mail piece sent to voters before October 6th. Failure to disclose funding sources for campaign materials is a clear violation of ELEC regulations. As a result, the New Jersey Republican Party has filed an official complaint with the New Jersey ELEC (see below).

Mysterious PAC and Illegal Campaign Coordination

In addition to these blatant violations, a group titled "Our Voice" has been running numerous digital and print ads in the 30th Legislative District encouraging people to vote in the upcoming election. Notably, the "Our Voice" logo on this ad appears in the same font in a text box on the October 3, 2023 mailer sent by the Schnall Campaign. No political committee or continuing political committee named "Our Voice" has been registered or approved by ELEC. Nor do these ads include the required disclaimer disclosing the name and postal address of the entity that paid for the advertisement. 

“Honesty and integrity in a political candidate is paramount in a world filled with disinformation. If a candidate is willing to lie to voters about who is funding their campaign, what else will he lie to them about? We all have to play by the same rules, and those rules call for transparency and accountability when it comes to campaign finances,” said Thomson.

“Candidates are required to disclose very specific information about their campaign costs on ELEC reports,” said Sean Kean. “Avi Schnall provided no information on his expenditures or his funding. This lack of transparency is alarming.”

Considering these allegations, the Kean and Thomson for Assembly campaign urgently calls upon ELEC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the Schnall campaign's apparent violations and demands that the Schnall campaign disclose their campaign's secret funding sources and admit to their wrongdoing.

xxxxx

FROM THE CAMPAIGN OF SINGER, KEAN, AND THOMSON

Contact: Greg Harris

732-814-9959

Avi Schnall Elec Complaint

902KB ∙ PDF file

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Schnall Alleged Campaign Finance Violations

69.4KB ∙ PDF file

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"The loss of a life is an immeasurable tragedy, one that leaves an indelible void in our community's heart. We stand together with the family in their time of mourning, their loss is our loss, and their pain is our pain. On the same note, we commend the extraordinary heroism displayed by our lifeguards, water safety rescue team, first responders, and other volunteers who saved multiple lives yesterday, illustrating the unwavering dedication they have to our community" stated Sean Patrick Di Somma.

We are equally concerned for those currently hospitalized as a result of the same incident. In our hearts and minds, we hold them, wishing for their swift and complete recovery. Our collective hope is for their strength to return and their spirits to heal.

This tragic occurrence serves as a poignant reminder of the formidable, ever-changing nature of the ocean. We implore all who visit the Belmar Beach to exercise unwavering caution and prioritize safety. Be wise, and choose to swim solely in designated areas.

Reports of rip currents and relentless waves along our coastline emphasize the imperativeness of heightened awareness. Let this be a rallying call, bringing our community closer together in a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of all who utilize our beaches.

In honoring the selflessness and unwavering dedication of our public safety personnel, we must acknowledge the profound heroism that they exemplify. Their courageous actions during this incident, and countless others, reflect the very essence of our coastal community's spirit.

Dr. Jodi Kinney eloquently captures the essence of the heroism displayed yesterday, stating, "Our lifeguards, public safety personnel and volunteers are not just guardians of the shore; they are the heart and soul of our community's safety. We honor them for their service to our community."

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Jim McCracken (James.w.mccracken@gmail.com)

Notifying parents about issues affecting their children is not discrimination.  Contrary to the Attorney General's false statement that he has never sought to ban parental notification, that is precisely what he did here.  

Policy 5756 as adopted by the Board provides for parental notification in four specific circumstances: 

(1) when a student formally changes their student record;

(2) when a student wants to participate in a club or sport of a different gender;

(3) when a student wants to use the bathroom of a different gender, and;

(4) when students are referred for mental health counseling.  

According to Attorney General Platkin, parental notification of these specific items is discrimination.  We strongly disagree.  

"Parental involvement in a student's education is paramount," said Board President Frank Capone.     

"We strongly disagree with the Court’s ruling and believe there are several grounds for appeal. Significantly, however, the Court decided to maintain the status quo and specifically did not make any determination on the merits of the policy,” said Board Attorney Bruce Padula. “It is simply not discrimination to tell parents if their child decides to change the gender in their student records.  The law supports our position," he said.   

"The Attorney General is taking a premature victory lap before this case is actually decided," according to Board Vice President Jacqueline Tobacco.  "The State's position is preventing some of the most vulnerable students from receiving the support they need from parents and mental health counselors and eroding trust between parents and our district."  

"The only violation here is the State's violation of parents' constitutional rights,” said President Capone before posing two questions to Attorney General Matthew Platkin:

“And I ask Attorney General Platkin, when is it permissible to notify parents?  Wouldn’t you want to know if your child is struggling with their identity?” 

Related: Central Jersey Leaders Show Support for Middletown BOE at Court

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Gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli recently slammed Gov. Murphy’s energy policy which the proposed gas stove ban is a key component of:

“Governor Murphy’s energy policy is not only bad economic policy - it’s bad environmental policy. His plan to electrify everything means New Jersey buying electricity from states that burn coal to produce it. That being the case, the public and main street business owners are justifiably asking Murphy, “Why are you taking away my gas stove?”

Candidates making their case to voters also weighed in on Murphy’s stove action.

“This is the typical Democrat strategy: attack the daily needs of people in pursuit of some lofty utopian goal that just ends up costing us more money. So much for those anchor checks, right?” said 14th District Assembly candidate Adam Elias. The lawyer and entrepreneur reflected on the multiple industries being affected by the almost nonstop mandates from Governor Murphy.

“I’m still working through my list of liquor store owners and car dealerships. Now I’m adding appliance stores to our efforts!”

The petition can be signed at SaveNJStoves.com. Signees have been encouraged to watch the BPU’s YouTube livestream, peacefully attend in person if they can, or contact the BPU at (609) 777-3300.

Supporters are encouraged to follow Save NJ Stoves on Facebook and Twitter.

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MIDDLETOWN - Middletown Board of Education President Frank Capone, Vice President Jacqueline Tobacco, and parental advocate Caterina Skalaski have announced they will seek election to the Middletown Board of Education this November as a slate representing “Putting Children First.”

"Our commitment to the children, parents, and taxpayers of Middletown remains steadfast in our approach to moving our district forward," said Capone.

The Putting Children First team pledges to continue to put the interests of students, parents, and taxpayers first.  

“We have a district of administrators and educators committed to excellence. Together we can continue to collaborate to take this district to the next level," said Tobacco. “Our track record for parental involvement and child advocacy is second to none in the state of New Jersey.  There is much more work to be done, and the addition of Caterina to the board would go a long way towards ensuring those goals.”

A fixture at Board meetings, Skalaski has been a vocal advocate for parental rights and has appeared on several state and national news outlets advocating for parental rights.  

"We are living in a time where Governor Murphy and his administration continue to diminish the rights and roles of parents through mandates and executive orders,” said Skalaski. “Governor Murphy is not the parent of my children or any child in the Middletown school district, and I will fight hard to ensure he understands his role as well as our role as parents."

President Capone added, "The amount of support we have already has been absolutely incredible, and we are looking forward to meeting parents and taxpayers over the next few months to share our vision for the district.”

For more information, visit Putting Children First on Facebook.

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“Responsible New Jersey drivers should have the flexibility to renew their vehicle registration for more than one year if they are driving the same car. Every time a renewal is required it opens drivers up to complications.  If a notice or response get lost in the mail, or if someone simply forgets to renew their registration, drivers can face costly tickets or even the prospect of having their vehicle towed,” said O’Scanlon.

“Giving drivers the option to extend their renewal for more than one year will help avoid the financial repercussions of unintentional lapses in registration as well as alleviate the administrative cost and burden on the MVC of processing yearly renewals. This legislation would give New Jersey drivers the ability to extend their vehicle’s registration up to ten years.”

Currently, after the initial multi-year new car registration period, New Jersey residents must renew their vehicle’s registration yearly with the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission. If someone is pulled over for a registration violation they may have to pay a fine to renew their registration and may even have their car impounded by the police.

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Senator O’Scanlon’s bill, S-4078, would allow New Jersey drivers to extend their vehicle’s registration for as many years as they like up to ten years. They would pay the then-current registration fee for all years up front. Drivers could transfer remaining years to another car if they sell the one registered.

“Registering your car in New Jersey should be convenient. At this point, if you intend to have your car for multiple years you should be able to pay an outright fee that extends your vehicle’s registration for that amount of time up to ten years,” O’Scanlon added.

“This bill would protect drivers by reducing the likelihood that they’ll be pulled over and penalized for a registration violation, which will save New Jerseyans time, hassle and money in the long run, and save the MVC money as well. It’s a win-win, let’s get this done!”

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Contact: Chris Sivel / (609) 847-3600

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“Trenton Democrats just passed soft-on-crime legislation that violent offenders and sexual predators will be able to exploit to evade prosecution and jail time,” said Sen. Holzapfel. “Individual prosecutors will have the authority to divert almost any offender into a Mental Health Diversion Program prior to prosecution without the input of a judge. There would be no jail time, even for violent crimes, and the offender’s record would automatically be eligible for expungement. This legislation will put public safety at risk and significantly weaken the justice system for victims of crimes.”

The legislation, S-524, creates a Mental Health Diversion program that could be used to prevent prosecution of violent crimes, Megan’s Law offenses, arson, and more.

(L to R: Assemblyman Catalano, Senator Holzapfel, Assemblyman McGuckin)

Senate Republicans have warned that disorders as common as depression would qualify an offender for the diversion program. A child sexual predator charged with a Megan’s Law offense, for example, could hire a social worker to say they suffered depression at the time of the crime and avoid prosecution and jail time. Upon completion of the program, they would be treated to a graduation ceremony and have their criminal record eligible for expungement.

“It is utterly incomprehensible that we would allow violent offenders and sexual predators off the hook just because a hired social worker diagnosed them with depression,” said Asm. McGuckin. “Diversion might be okay for low-level, non-violent crimes, but the bill as currently written is absolutely insane. Governor Murphy needs to send it back to the Legislature so we can work on a bipartisan solution that respects victims and enhances public safety.”

Governor Murphy also increased the justice system’s burden on New Jersey taxpayers by signing S-3771, which repealed the law concerning payment for services provided by the Office of Public Defenders.

Under the new law, public defenders are required to provide representation to defendants free of charge. Additionally, any outstanding costs previously assessed for services will be cleared.

“Everyone has the constitutional right to representation when they appear as a defendant in court. This should not preclude public defenders from obtaining a reasonable fee for their services from the individuals that they are representing,” said Asm. Catalano. “By eliminating public defenders fees, the government is making taxpayers bear the full burden of legal representation for people accused of breaking the laws of society. Financial assistance programs were already in place to help defendants cover their legal charges prior to this legislation becoming law. This is another example of Democrats finding a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist.”

S-524 has yet to be signed by Governor Murphy.

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Source: https://tinyurl.com/yfh7khsr

Press Contact: Chris Sivel / (609) 847-3600

“Speculative ticketing has duped consumers for years and puts a strain on both verified ticket sellers and the venue,” said Senator Holzapfel. “Before a seller like Ticketmaster has even put tickets on sale for a concert or sporting event, websites claiming to have seats available allow consumers to purchase tickets that may not even exist.”

“This bill is an attempt to improve the buying experience for ordinary customers so they can purchase guaranteed tickets at a fair price,” continued Holzapfel.

Following the sale of tickets for concerts like Taylor Swift, millions of fans were not able to buy tickets through Ticketmaster, forcing customers to search for tickets on resale websites. By not purchasing tickets from a reliable source, this caused fans to buy tickets at astronomical prices and sometimes people did not even receive a valid ticket.

“Event ticket resellers are selling tickets they don’t even have and they’re hoping that when the actual on-sale date arrives, they can use bots to secure the tickets and fulfill the order,” stated Assemblyman McGuckin. “There have been plenty of instances when fans end up with worse tickets than they were promised or no tickets at all.”

Specifically, the bill removes provisions of current law that allow for the sale of tickets not in the reseller’s possession under certain circumstances.  The bill prohibits resellers from employing tentative ticket policies, whereby the reseller sells tickets that are not in the reseller’s possession at the time of sale.

After hearing lengthy testimony in the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee and as a member of the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee, Assemblyman Catalano believes that this bill will make ticket buying more transparent and fair.

“It’s important that this bill becomes law to ensure that consumers are purchasing from a reputable source, have access to all the appropriate information when buying, and end up with the tickets they intended to buy,” added Assemblyman Catalano.

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Source: New Jersey’s 10th Legislative District

Contact: Kate Hirsch / (732) 840-9028

(Aerial view of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office)

FREEHOLD - Sheriff Shaun Golden is proud to announce that the Monmouth County Correctional Institution recently completed an inspection conducted by the New Jersey Department of Corrections and was acknowledged for being 100 percent compliant with state standards. The annual review consists of a comprehensive study, which encompasses all areas of the facility, and, was conducted by three state auditors.

"This grade of excellence reaffirms the fact that the Monmouth County Correctional Institution operates under the highest of standards and continues to meet or exceed the state requirements set forth to run this top correctional facility," said Sheriff Shaun Golden.

(Sheriff Golden [center] walking in Monmouth’s Correctional Institution)

More than 600 standards were reviewed at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, which is a direct supervision jail. The facility houses county, state and federal inmates. The team of auditors toured the entire jail and examined standards such as security, medical, personnel, fiscal management, planning, design, access to courts, food services, sanitization, searches, admissions, mail, inmate services, disciplinary procedures and property control.

As part of the inspection the team also interviewed staff and inmates. The inspection is mandated annually by the state.

“I commend this team effort led by Warden Victor Iannello and Executive Undersheriff Ted Freeman, along with staff for their commitment to excellence and for making this achievement possible,” said Sheriff Golden.

In addition to being state certified, the Monmouth County Correctional Institution is nationally accredited by the American Correctional Association and the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare.

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CONTACT: CYNTHIA SCOTT, PIO

PHONE: 732-431-6400 ext. 1113

America250 - Monmouth NJ Committee Co-Chairs Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone and Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, Esq. will highlight their plans and share their vision for the multi-year celebration.

“We would like to invite everyone to join us for the ‘America 250 Monmouth NJ’ kick-off on Wednesday, June 28, which also happens to be the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth, a crucial and pivotal event to the American Revolution,” said Director Arnone “We are excited to highlight our rich history and celebrate the beginnings of the greatest country on Earth.”

Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth. Emanuel Luetze c. 1851

“2026 may seem like a long way off, but we are excited to embark on the journey toward this momentous event,” said County Clerk Hanlon. “Join us as we look back on the people, places, and events that have carved Monmouth’s history over the past 250 years.”

‘American250 Monmouth NJ’ will debut its website and social media handles which will be used to promote events and programs such as parades, reenactments and historical tours.

The event will feature live vocalist performances and “Lady”, a rescued New York City carriage horse now housed at Foreluck Farm in Atlantic Highlands who will make a special delivery down Main Street.

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners established the America250 – Monmouth NJ Committee to plan and provide guidance for the county’s official once-in-a-lifetime observances and celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

For news and alerts from Monmouth County, visit www.visitmonmouth.com or follow @MonmouthGovNJ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Source: Monmouth County Department of Public Information.

COLTS NECK - In response to a lawsuit filed today by the Murphy administration against the boards of education in Middletown, Marlboro and Manalapan, Steve Dnistrian, candidate for the New Jersey State Senate in Legislative District 11 in Monmouth County, released the following statement:

"Today, the Murphy administration filed a lawsuit against the boards of education in three additional New Jersey municipalities for passing policies that support notifying parents if and when a child asks teachers, or school staff, for accommodations or changes regarding their own gender.

"Kids do best when parents and teachers work together to support them. When Governor Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin try to interfere in the relationship between parents and children, families, parents and kids suffer. We should encourage schools to communicate with parents when children are struggling, not sue to stop them, and not insist that the state knows better when it comes to parent-child relationships.

(Via Twitter)

"Parents in our district are telling me they want to be more involved in their kids' schools. They want a say in curriculum. They are very concerned about sex ed courses being forced on young children. And parents are deeply worried about the loss of $75 million in state aid in our schools, all supported by Murphy and his protege, Sen. Vin Gopal. When it comes to dealing with the health and well-being of children, parents should ALWAYS be part of the discussion. Democrats, however, are insisting that parents NOT be part of the discussion, especially if kids express questions about being LGBTQ. These heavy-handed, one-sided mandates from Trenton are just wrong."

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Dnistrian, the son of immigrants, is running for public office for the first time after spending 35 years in the business world. He is challenging Murphy ally and Democrat Senator Vinod Gopal in what many pundits believe will be the most hotly-contested race in New Jersey this year. All 120 seats in the NJ legislature are on the ballot in November. For more information on Dnistrian, visit www.SteveforNJ.com. 

Steve Dnistrian is the Republican Candidate for State Senate in Legislative District 11. For more information, visit www.SteveforNJ.com, on Facebook at STEVE for NJ State Senate LD-11 and www.SteveMarilynKimforNJ11.com.

The administrative complaints and the motions for preliminary injunctions allege that all three of the policies violate the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination’s (LAD) prohibition against discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression.

As the complaints assert, the policies enacted by the Middletown, Marlboro, and Manalapan-Englishtown Boards expressly target transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender non-binary students by singling them out for differential treatment, requiring parental notification for those students but not their peers.  The complaints also assert that the parental notification policies have disparate impacts on transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary youth:  By imposing a requirement that school staff must “out” these students to their parents, the policies expose these students to the potential for severe harms to their safety and mental health.  The policies also disregard and contradict guidance from the New Jersey Department of Education concerning the confidentiality and privacy of such information.

“In New Jersey, we will not tolerate any action by schools that threatens the health and safety of our young people. Without question, the discriminatory policies passed by these Boards of Education, if allowed to go into effect, will harm our kids and pose severe risk to their safety,” said Attorney General Platkin.  “Simply put, these policies violate our laws, and we will not relent in protecting our LGBTQ+ community—especially our children—from discrimination.”

In addition to filing administrative civil rights complaints, DCR is seeking temporary restraints and preliminary injunctions from the Superior Court to prohibit the Boards from implementing the policies while the administrative complaints are being adjudicated by DCR.

As the briefs in support of the State’s motion explain, the requested injunctions from the court would preserve the status quo during the litigation and thereby ensure that school officials are not forced to “out” transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary students to their parents while the administrative complaints are pending. The requested injunctions would not prevent school staff from notifying parents about concerns unrelated to LAD-protected characteristics, nor would they prevent school staff from complying with Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) policies, or other similar reporting requirements designed to protect students’ safety.

“School policies that single out or target LGBTQ+ youth fly in the face of our State’s longstanding commitment to equality,” said Sundeep Iyer, Director of the Division on Civil Rights.  “Our laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression, plain and simple, and we will not waver in our commitment to enforcing those protections.”

The policies challenged today were all enacted on Tuesday, June 20. The policy enacted by the Marlboro Board of Education provides that the school district is required to notify parents or guardians of any student’s “change in gender identity or expression.”  It also eliminates the requirement under prior Marlboro policy that the school address students by their preferred name and pronoun; the new policy now permits the district to deviate from a student’s preferred name and pronoun when “a parent/guardian of a minor student disagrees with the student regarding the name and/or pronoun to be used at school.”  The new policy similarly eliminates the requirement under prior Marlboro policy that all students are entitled to access school facilities in accordance with their gender identity.

Meanwhile, the policy enacted by the Middletown Board of Education provides that where a student “requests a public social transition accommodation,” such as a name or pronoun change, a bathroom or locker room accommodation, or club or sports accommodation, the school is obligated to “notify a student’s parents or guardian” of the student’s “asserted gender identity.”

The policy enacted by the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional Board of Education likewise provides that where a student “requests a public social transition accommodation,” the school must “notify a student’s parents or guardian of the student’s asserted gender identity.”  It also states that for “students in grades Pre-K through 5,” the “responsibility for determining a student’s gender identity rests with the student’s parents/guardians,” rather than with the student.

The enforcement actions announced today follow on the heels of a civil rights complaint and application for temporary restraints filed by Attorney General Platkin and DCR challenging a Hanover Township Board of Education policy that likewise required school staff to out LGBTQ+ students to their parents.  The litigation challenging that policy remains pending.  The Superior Court, however, has temporarily restrained the Hanover Township Board of Education and the school district from enforcing that policy while it considers the matter.

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DCR is the state agency responsible for preventing and eliminating discrimination and bias-based harassment in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation (e.g., places open to the public like schools, businesses, hospitals, etc.).  DCR enforces the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), the New Jersey Family Leave Act (FLA), and the Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA).

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The matter was handled by Division of Law Deputy Attorneys General Jonathan Mangel, Loren Miller, Douglas Praschak, and Daniel Resler, under the supervision of Assistant Attorneys General Mayur Saxena and Sara Gregory and Section Chief James Michael, as well as DCR Interim Senior Advisors for Affirmative Enforcement Iris Bromberg and Danielle Thorne under the supervision of Associate Director for Affirmative Enforcement Malcolm Peyton-Cook and Chief Advisor to the Director Aarin Williams.

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            “This aggressive, independent investigation into the ocean-altering impacts of the 3,400 offshore wind turbines slated for the Jersey Shore will help address the wide-ranging questions and concerns that the Biden Administration and Governor Murphy continue to dismiss as they plow full steam ahead with this unprecedented offshore wind industrialization of our shore,” Smith said in response to the GAO informing him that his request has been accepted.

            “It is absolutely critical that New Jersey residents understand all the impacts of these offshore wind projects—which will permanently transform our marine environment and seascape and could put our tourism-drive economy at grave risk—before it’s too late,” said Smith.

            Smith, who spoke with the GAO today, said he will be hosting a meeting with them in his office in the coming weeks with other interested parties.

            The GAO study—which was requested by Smith in a May 15th letter with House Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD)—parallels the investigation required by the amendment offered by Smith that passed the House of Representatives as part of the Lower Energy Costs Act (HR 1) in late March.

Smith’s amendment—which garnered strong bipartisan support and passed the House in a vote of 244-189—has since moved to the Senate as part of HR 1, which Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer declared was “dead on arrival.” In response, Smith personally asked Chairman Westerman to join him in requesting the study directly from the GAO.

            In the letter, Smith and his colleagues asked the GAO to examine a wide range of concerns, including:

• Air and maritime safety, including the operation of radar systems;

• Impacts to air traffic, including military training missions off the Atlantic Coast;

• Commercial fishing activities, including fisheries-related surveys and associated management plans, fishing access in the Outer Continental Shelf and economic impacts to the fishing industry;

• Marine environment and ecology, including whales and dolphins, and any endangered or threatened species;

• Resiliency of offshore wind infrastructure to hurricanes and other extreme weather events off the Atlantic Coast. 

            “With so much at stake and out of an abundance of caution and concern, these offshore wind projects must be at a minimum paused until the Government Accountability Office concludes its study,” said Smith, who noted a May poll that shows New Jersey residents oppose the continued offshore wind development by a margin of 42 to 33 percent in light of concerns over the spate of whale and dolphin deaths along the shore.

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