Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Brick retains its clerk in 4-3 council vote
Lynnette Iannarone has been reappointed as Brick Township clerk. Two weeks after a failed attempt by three members of council by appoint former councilwoman Kathy Russell to the position, a majority of council members favored reappointing Iannarone, a 17-year employee of the clerk's office. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," said Councilman Dan Toth. "In seven and a half years, I have never received one complaint about the municipal clerk's office at all. The only thing I've ever heard from residents … were commendations." Republicans accused three Democrats on the council of playing politics with the position by favoring Russell, a fellow Democrat, for the position over Iannarone. The same three council members who supported Russell's …
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Popular Brick anchorage was shut down in 2012 by U.S. Fish & Wildlife; Wild partying will no longer be allowed
One of the most popular hangouts on Barnegat Bay will reopen to boaters this weekend. F-Cove, located just north of the Mantoloking Bridge in Brick, will reopen to boaters after being shut down for more than a year. The cove is a wildly popular gathering place where boaters often anchor up to spend time on the water. The area, made up of two undeveloped man-made lagoons off Barnegat Bay in the shape of the letter 'F,' became the subject of a dispute between local, state and federal authorities that resulted in the federal Fish and Wildlife service prohibiting boaters from accessing the site. Virginia Rettig, manager of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, said last year the cove belonged to Forsythe and recreational boating was …
In Lavallette Monday, Governor said he wants to highlight that the Jersey Shore is recovering
Gov. Chris Christie was in Lavallette Monday to help the borough celebrate the reconstruction of its boardwalk and promote tourism as Memorial Day Weekend nears. Like many Jersey Shore towns, Lavallette's boardwalk was ravaged by Superstorm Sandy. The governor traveled to the borough to spread the word that New Jersey continues to recover. "This is the first symbol, for us, of making sure this week that everybody across the state, across the region, and across America knows that the Jersey Shore is open for the summer and ready to receive our customers," Christie said in remarks there Monday. The ceremonial "last board" in Lavallette was nailed down by borough officials. Numerous local business owners contributed attended the event, …
Reappointment of Lynnette Iannarone on council agenda
Brick Township council members are, again, poised to vote on appointing a township clerk for the next three years. Two weeks after an attempt to appoint former Democratic township council member Kathy Russell failed, the council will vote to reappoint current clerk Lynnette Iannarone, a copy of the May 21 council meeting agenda shows. Iannarone has worked in the clerk's office for 17 years and has served as clerk since 2010, following the retirement of Virginia Lampman. Her initial term ends June 30, but if she is reappointed she will gain tenure in the clerk's position, meaning she could only lose her job for cause. At the May 7 council meeting, Councilman Jim Fozman began the meeting by suddenly making a motion to appoint Russell to the …
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Paul D. "Pete" McLain's efforts to save the dwindling osprey population back in the 1970s have paid off
Visitors who click on the Friends of Island Beach's osprey cam are often entranced by the sight of the osprey pair keeping watch over their clutch of four rust-and cream-colored eggs. But it wasn't always this easy to keep tabs on the ospreys of Island Beach State Park. Environmental conditions were grim for the large raptor birds back in the early 1970s. Nesting sites were hard to come by, due to the rapid development of wetlands. DDT and other chemicals had been heavily used in 1950s and 1960s for mosquito control and worked their way into the food chain. Osprey nests were dwindling. By 1968 there were only 12 osprey nests at Island Beach State Park. By 1974, the number had dropped to just one. Osprey eggs laid during those years were …
Cost of removing the homes will be reimbursed by FEMA
Toms River's program to demolish homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy is set to begin on Saturday morning in Ortley Beach, Mayor Thomas Kelaher announced. More than 100 homes are expected to be demolished through the township's Private Property Debris Removal Program. The removal of the homes will be reimbursed by FEMA, according to the township. "Our residents are eager to start the rebuilding process," Kelaher said in a statement. A $6,674,520 contract was awarded in March to Hudson Valley Environmental for the demolition. Demolition Saturday will begin in Ortley Beach at a Seagull Lane home and move on to homes on Beier and Nichols Avenue, according to Public Works Director Lou Amoruso. Once the first round of Ortley homes are removed, …
The state urges customers to consult the database before buying a car
The State Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) are urging all customers to consult their database of flood and salvage-titled vehicles before purchasing a car. That database now provides information on 31,000 such vehicles, the State MVC announced on Wednesday. It isn't illegal to sell vehicles with flood or salvaged titles. However, there are specific requirements that ensure potential purchasers are aware of the status of such vehicles, according to the MVC. “Damage sustained by vehicles must be disclosed to prospective buyers,” Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said. “We will hold car dealers accountable for violating our Consumer Fraud Act if they fail to make such disclosures.” The database was …
Friday, May 17, 2013
Home buyouts in areas prone to flooding expected to start soon, though participation remains voluntary.
Buyouts of properties in flood prone areas are expected to begin within a matter of weeks, beginning in Middlesex County and working south into the summer months as residents and their respective town officials make the difficult decision to abandon entire neighborhoods for good. Though buyout specifics have been limited, Bob Martin, commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection, said between eight and 10 towns along the coast have inquired about participating in the State’s Blue Acres program, which purchases severe repetitive loss homes in flood areas and converts the land into open space. Martin said he wanted to be cautious about naming the municipalities that have inquired about the property buyouts as many have …
Initial data shows campaign financials; Regular Republicans far in the lead
The latest filings from the state's Election Law Enforcement Commission – the body that is tasked with regulating campaign contributions in New Jersey – do not come with any big surprises. The township's well-funded regular Republican organization boasts the heaviest war chest for the primary season – wealth that can eventually be used in the general election if it's not all spent before June 4. The regular Republicans, who have endorsed mayoral candidate Joseph Sangiovanni in a primary battle against fellow GOP township council member Dan Toth, reported $43,775 in campaign contributions so far. The regular Republican organization has accounted for its donations through what is known as a joint candidates' committee. The committee …
Andy Pat
2:20 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Iannarone? Any relation to ex-councilman Thulen's girlfriend? The one the R team appointed as an MUA commissioner, then subsequently inserted over at recreation? more ›