Christie: Supporting Businesses Crucial to New Jersey's Recovery

Governor convenes Business Impact Assessment Group to survey merchants' needs after Sandy

Statewide business groups will begin this weekend to survey the needs of local merchants seeking to recover and rebuild after superstorm Sandy, Gov. Chris Christie said Friday afternoon. The formation of the Business Impact Assessment group was announced at a news conference at the Sea Bright firehouse, which until recently had served as a "Food City" center for provisions for the local responders and residents in this devastated oceanfront community. Local and state officials joined residents to hear the governor describe the value of small businesses, especially those at the Shore. "The heartbeat of the economy and the fabric of the culture are all these small businesses," he said. Small businesses are the "backbone of the Garden State …

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Enuf Already

4:11 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013

That's OK, "." He can't please 100% of the people, no one can. But according to the latest polls, he's approved by 74% of us. The 26% includes mostly Dems and special interest groups. Which one do you belong to?   more ›

Assemblyman: Fort Housing to Have 'No Impact' on Oceanport Schools

Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon assured the Oceanport Board of Education Thursday that the pending temporary housing won't impair the district.

Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon tried to put to rest concerns Thursday night about the Oceanport School District having to take in students whose families take advantage of the temporary housing at Fort Monmouth. "Bottom line: There will be literally no impact on [Oceanport's] budget," he said at the Nov. 29 Oceanport Board of Education meeting. The state announced Wednesday that work is under way at the fort to house those displaced by Superstorm Sandy, but on a much smaller scale than previously announced. The District 13 assemblyman cited a few reasons why he was confident that the Oceanport district, which already absorbed students from Monmouth Beach whose school suffered severe damage during the storm, would not be required to educate …

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Jay Coffey

5:43 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012

For the record, and to be absolutely fair to Declan O'Scanlon, it wasn't his fault that he was invited to a meeting at which there were only a handful of people in attendance. He had absolutely no knowledge of the fact that meeting was moved to Wolf Hill School and/or conflicted with the FEMA meeting at Maple Place School. Having just spoken to Mr. O'Scanlon, I now understand that he had no prior…   more ›

O'Scanlon Bill Seeks to Stop Towns from Banishing Medical Marijuana Facilities

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon wants to stop local governments from attempting to circumvent a state law that permits medical marijuana facilities from sprouting in their towns.

State Legislators Host Sexual Violence Advocate Dinner in Little Silver Thursday

Monmouth County Prosecutor Warshaw will join Senator Beck and Assembly members O'Scanlon and Casagrande in honoring advocates from local nonprofit 180˚ - Turning Lives Around.

State legislators Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (all R-12) are hosting their fifth annual confidential sexual violence advocate dinner at the Little Silver Woman's Club Thursday evening to honor sexual violence advocates working with local nonprofit 180˚ - Turning Lives Around to end nearby domestic and sexual violence. They will be joined by Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter Warshaw. “I am extremely pleased that Prosecutor Warshaw will be able to attend this dinner,” said Beck in a release, thankful Warshaw will be there to applaud the group's effort to assist sexual assault survivors. “Survivors are often at their most vulnerable and exposed, and it takes a truly special kind of …

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Bucs Beat

RBR's Auditorium Gets a Facelift

First improvements to theatre since high school's opening in 1974; phone and intercom systems next to be modernized.

Despite difficult economic conditions, a state grant and saved up district capital funds allowed Red Bank Regional High School to improve their auditorium this summer, providing for the replacement of 280 orchestra-level seats, carpeting and wallpaper. State legislators Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (all R-12) visited the school Monday to observe the improvements. “With the exception of some paint and wallpaper, the auditorium/theater had not been updated since the building’s opening in 1974," said RBR Superintendent Jim Stefankiewicz.  The $244,731 project was paid for by RBR's district capital reserve funds and a $80,116 Regular Operating District (ROD) grant from the New Jersey…

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Declan O'Scanlon Rips State for Giving 'Jersey Shore' $420K Tax Credit

Little Silver Assemblyman (R-12): "I can’t believe we are paying for fake tanning for ‘Snooki’ and ‘The Situation’"

Four Red Bank Arts Orgs Receive Grant Funding

Nearly $500,000 awarded to Two River Theater Company, Count Basie Theatre, Jazz Foundation, and Monmouth Arts Council

Four Red Bank arts organizations were awarded grants, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts announced Wednesday. Two River Theater Company, Count Basie Theatre, Monmouth County Arts Council, and Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festival each received grant funding through a program that includes hotel occupancy taxes and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Two River Theater received $118,812 for general operating support. Monmouth County Arts Council received two grants, one of $157,398 for being a local arts program and a second of $31,460 to help with staffing. Count Basie and the Jazz Foundation were each awarded grants for general operating support of $178,815 and $14,104, respectively. State Sen. Jennifer Beck and …

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